East Texas Food Bank bracing for lapse in SNAP benefits estimated to affect 170,000

TYLER, Texas — Food banks across Texas are ramping up emergency response efforts as the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week.

Federal employees and armed service members in Texas are at risk of income disruption, as they are set to miss their first full paycheck since the shutdown began. Furthermore, SNAP benefit delays are expected to begin Nov. 1 — and the East Texas Food Bank says the state's emergency food system is bracing for a surge in need.

“Food banks are seeing a wave of new faces and families who’ve never needed emergency food assistance before,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks. “We’re doing everything we can to meet the moment, but food banks were already seeing increased need due to rising food costs. The shutdown adds