WACO, Texas (KWTX) - 3.5 million Texans may lose food assistance this weekend as a result of the government shutdown, forcing those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program to turn to local food pantries.

This marks the first time the SNAP program has stopped since it began about 60 years ago. Some food banks said they have already surpassed 2023’s statistics of feeding more than 95,000 families so far this year.

Local food banks tell officials they are already spread thin and are concerned about the increased demand.

Food pantries see record numbers

At Shepherd Heart’s food distribution events in Central Texas, volunteers stock shopping carts with free food to accomplish their mission of filling the need in the community.

Kim Troutman, a guest at the food distrib

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