The Kinder Institute found that 29% of residents in food-insecure households in Harris County rated their physical health as “poor” or “fair.”

HOUSTON — As Congress works to strike a deal to end the ongoing government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of Houston-area families who rely on SNAP benefits are still figuring out where their next meals will come from. 

At the Houston Food Bank, volunteers continued working hard on Monday to fill boxes with food to be distributed to families in need during the shutdown.

Special distribution sites have popped up across the area since Nov. 1, when SNAP was cut. Houston Food Bank CEO Brian Green said donations have increased, but that support can only go so far.

“We’re right now operating in a non-sustainable level,” Greene said. “The sooner the shutdown stops, the less people are going to be suffering

Even after the government reopens, Greene said there will still be challenges for those depending on SNAP to put food on the table.

“Right now, we would be in a limbo, even if the government shutdown ended today,” he said. “So, we’ve made the commitment that we will operate in this enhanced mode for several days, if not a couple weeks, after the shutdown ends, to try and make sure that we’re helping people get by.”

The Houston Food Bank’s efforts come as data from Rice University’s Kinder Institute shows that two in every five households in Harris County are food insecure.

A brand-new study by the Kinder Institute also found that 29% of residents in food-insecure households in Harris County rated their physical health as “poor” or “fair.” That is more than double the rate for food-secure households, which stands at 12%.

Amanda Beaver, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Houston Methodist, said food insecurity often means not being able to consistently access nutritious foods, which can be a major problem.

“We are often at risk of becoming malnourished, whether that’s malnourished from not getting enough calories or not getting enough protein, or from potentially not getting enough vitamins because maybe the foods that the individual has access to doesn’t have those micronutrients or vitamins that are in maybe higher-quality, more nutritious foods,” Beaver said. “It’s a stressor on the body. And it can lead to issues with both mental health and physical health.”

The Houston Food Bank has several more special food distribution events planned throughout the month for SNAP recipients and families in need. If you qualify, you must register. To do so, and to check dates, times, and locations, click here.

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