LOCAL NONPROFIT
It appears SNAP benefits across the nation will halt on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. Over 7300 households in Hays County will not receive funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for November, according to data from the Hays County Food Bank.
More than 16,772 individuals in Hays County will be affected, increasing their food insecurity. The Hays County Food Bank is planning to help these households cover their loss of SNAP funding by providing addition food distribution.
“The Central Texas Food Bank will be monitoring zip codes to see where the highest enrolled from SNAP are and where the extra demand is coming,” HCFB Executive Director Lisa Young said. “We are sending our extra demand numbers to them too, so that they can determine places where we might need some extra distribution.”
The HCFB is located in San Marcos but is a resource open to all Hays County residents.
SNAP benefits remain uncertain as the government continues to be shut down, although a standalone bill has been proposed to fund SNAP but has yet to pass.
“We’re asking people to contact their congressman to say what their concerns are about this situation,” Young said.
The CTFB website has a ‘Find Food Now’ section, which will map out which food distributions are available in the area.
The HCFB helps provide food for 30 other sites outside of it’s main distribution center including The Salvation Army, Bobcat Bounty and the TXST food pantry service. These additional satellite distribution sites allow those in need more flexibility in terms of food bank hours and locations.
Young offered more resource suggestions, including Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas, a San Marcosbased organization which provides utility assistance, adult education, health services and other resources.
“Another great resource is the Hays County Health Department resource guide, they’re updating it every six months,” Young said.
“All roads come through the food bank, as it turns out. We see everyone. We see the college students, the senior citizens, babies, the young adults. We see people that speak English, people who don’t speak English. We have everyone coming through the food bank, and even in the volunteer sphere, people from all walks of life, from the faith community, from our elected officials. So it really is a hub for the community,” Young said.
The best way to support the food bank is through monetary donations. Funding has been uncertain after recent government cuts to grants and multiple nonprofits which partner with the food bank. Volunteering at the food bank is another way one can help those in need in Hays County.
The Hays County Food Bank is located at 1612 S I-35 South Frontage Rd. in San Marcos. The facility can be accessed by car or bus on route 5. After moving to this location in August, the nonprofit has seen an increase in new client signups. In September the food bank distributed 28,000 pounds of food and received 577 new household applications.
For more information on donating, volunteering, or food distribution sign ups and additional resources visit their website at haysfoodbank. org.
