Effects of the pause will be especially widespread in Texas, which has the highest population of food insecure people in the country.

The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.

The Central Texas Food Bank expects to spend roughly four times its monthly budget to support Austin-area SNAP recipients.

Austin-area businesses, churches and nonprofits are offering free meals to help people affected by the delays. Here’s where to get help if you need it and help others if you can.

Democrats argue Gov. Abbott has used his authority during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting and border operations to free up emergency funds.

Millions of Texans are expected to be impacted by the halt in SNAP benefits next month, as a result of the government shutdown. Austin-area food banks stay open to help those facing food insecurity.

The ongoing government shutdown means more than $600 million per month won’t go to millions of Texas SNAP beneficiaries who pump that money into the state economy.

The money will go to the North Texas Food Bank and food boxes for furloughed federal workers and for Dallas County residents who are right now without SNAP benefits and for now will get less than what they normally receive.