HOUSTON – Nearly 900,000 people in the greater Houston area rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table, but those payments could stop next month if Congress fails to reach a deal to fund the government by tomorrow.
The Texas Health and Human Services said SNAP will not be issued in November if the government shutdown goes past Oct. 27.
SEE ALSO: S&P 500 hits record high as government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits in Houston area
The federal government shutdown has already surpassed 25 days, making it the second longest in history.
Houston mother Leondera Levy, who is disabled and raising two children, said she’s bracing for the worst.
“I have to look at my children in the eyes and not be able to feed them,” Levy told KPRC 2. “The holidays are coming up, what are we going to do for food?”
Her concerns are echoed by food pantries across the region that are preparing for a surge in demand.
At the House of Help pantry in Waller County, volunteers say they’re expecting to serve twice as many families if SNAP is paused.
“I’m going to have a lot of them showing up towards the end of the month, looking for more food, especially with Thanksgiving coming, said Tim Chipman, who runs House of Help.
By the numbers
According to data compiled by KPRC 2:
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Harris County: 642,890 residents receive SNAP, averaging about $395 per person each month
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Greater Houston region total: nearly 900,000 residents
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Statewide: more than 3.5 million Texans rely on SNAP to buy groceries
Where to find food assistance if SNAP benefits are paused
HARRIS COUNTY
Houston Food Bank📍 535 Portwall St, Houston, TX 77029
Christian Community Service Center – 3434 Branard St, Houston, TX 77027
MAM Food Pantry – 1625 Blalock Rd, Houston, TX 77080
Emergency Aid Coalition – 5401 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77004
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County Food Bank1 Food for Life Way, Conroe, TX 77385
St. Vincent de Paul – Montgomery County – 293 S Loop 336 W, Conroe, TX 77304
FORT BEND COUNTY
East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry 435 Stafford Run Rd, Stafford, TX 77477
Fort Bend Family Promise – 4645 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, TX 77459
WALLER COUNTY
W.A.R.M. 401 Cedar St, Waller, TX 77484
House of Help – 2222 8th St, Hempstead, TX 77445
GALVESTON COUNTY
Galveston County Food Bank📍 624 4th Ave N, Texas City, TX 77590
St. Vincent’s House – 2817 Alvin Ave, Galveston, TX 77550
BRAZORIA COUNTY
Brazosport Cares Food Pantry 916 N Gulf Blvd, Freeport, TX 77541
Brazoria County Dream Center 796 S Brazos Ave, Angleton, TX 77515
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