SAN ANTONIO — Fighting back tears, Debra Gonzales walked out the door of the emergency food pantry with big bags of groceries.

Gonzales, who said she has health complications, said the loss of benefits during the government shutdown has been painful.

"I never have to come to places like this! This is a first time for us!" Gonzales said of her visit to Inner City Development in the heart of the west side on Chihuahua Street.

Gonzales said, "I get food stamps. And we didn't get them this month and I'm taking medication. For me to take my medication, I need to take it with food. If I don't have food, how am I gonna take my medication?"

She said money is so tight, it has been a frightening balancing act.

"We get money, but we only get like a little bit. It's either the bills or food. We h

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