By Edmond Ortiz
The federal government shutdown has entered a second month, some San Antonio-area agencies, nonprofits and businesses have stepped up to help those in need.
What you should know
A federal judge over Halloween weekend ordered the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to tap into contingency funds to provide partial payments of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits – or food stamps.
However, Texas officials have yet to confirm when SNAP clients who are facing delays in November funding will receive their benefits. This is the first time that a federal government shutdown – prompted by a Congressional impasse over the Fiscal Year 2026 budget – has directly resulted in a lapse in SNAP benefits.
Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said on Nov. 1 that the shutdown and subsequent delay in SNAP payments are hurting the impoverished, young families and senior citizens.
“More than 3.5 million Texans rely on SNAP each month to feed their families, and the vast majority of participants are children, seniors, and people with disabilities,” Cole said in a statement. “Kids, grandparents, and our hardworking neighbors — that is who will be impacted by this pause in critical food aid.”
Locally, the San Antonio Food Bank, area food pantries and other organizations are doing what they can to aid people directly and significantly impacted by the government shutdown.
In a Nov. 1 video posted to the San Antonio Food Bank’s social media channels, food bank President and CEO Eric Cooper said that his organization stands ready to provide food thanks to donations from individuals, companies, houses of worship and private groups.
Individuals needing assistance may visit the SAFB website or call the food bank at 210-431-8326, or call 2-1-1 and choose option 1 to hear details on local food aid programs, pantries and free meal activities.
“A lot of people care about you in this time of need. I need you to know how much we care,” Cooper said.
Food bank officials said the most wanted foods include baby food, beans, canned lunch meats, cereal, canned chili, canned/cupped soup, canned or boxed full meals, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, pop top items, rice, tuna, and pet food.
According to SAFB officials, the food bank uses monetary donations to buy food stuffs in bulk at discounted rates or to support emergency distributions.
For its part, grocer chain H-E-B recently announced a $5 million commitment to support Texas food banks, and a $1 million gift to Meals on Wheels programs statewide.
“At H-E-B, we are passionate about taking care of Texans,” Winell Herron, H-E-B’s senior vice president of public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs, said in a statement. “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with these incredible organizations that work year-round to support those in need.”
Meals on Wheels providers nationwide, including Meals on Wheels San Antonio, are being affected by both the current federal government shutdown and potential further spending cuts proposed by the Trump administration.
Thanks in large part to a clarion call by Meals on Wheels San Antonio officials and supporters, in partnership with KSAT television, about $12,000 was raised via a phone bank event in October.
Representatives with Meals on Wheels San Antonio said those monies will help to shorten the current waitlist filled with thousands of local senior citizens who depend on the nonprofit for regular, nutritious meals and welfare visits by organizational staffers and volunteers.
Despite the challenges prompted by the shutdown, Meals on Wheels San Antonio CEO Vinsen Faris said the agency still encourages donations and volunteerism to help support at-risk individuals. The organization provided 2.22 million meals to more than 6,800 local residents in 2024.
“Those we serve are the unseen and often forgotten about, but we haven’t forgotten about them, and we get to remind them about how much the community cares every time we knock on the door,” Faris said in a statement.
Other sources of help
FindHelp.org contains a page identifying several currently operational food pantries in the San Antonio area.
Another FindHelp page contains information on San Antonio-area programs that offer free or discounted price clothing as well as other forms of social assistance.
Organizations such as St. Stephen’s CARE Center offers a free food pantry and clothing closet to anyone in need. All visitors need is to be able to show a valid identification card or proof of residency. Located at 2127 S. Zarzamora St., the CARE Center is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Elsewhere, USAA announced recently it has provided more than $411 million in immediate relief to its 100,000-plus members, including military personnel and federal employees through loans, flexible payment and fee arrangements, and personalized financial guidance.
“We know the weight that uncertainty can bring, especially for those who serve,” Michael Moran, USAA Federal Savings Bank president, said in a statement.
The Caffeine Hoe coffee trailer at 402 Steves Ave. will be offering a free easy meal kit on a first come, first served basis on Nov. 8, while supplies last. The meals, meant for anyone who has run out of SNAP benefits or are running short of funds, will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.
Abel’s Diner, 17327 I-35 N., Suite 200, in Schertz is offering a free Michael’s Special breakfast plate to military personnel and federal employees affected by the shutdown. The Michael’s Special offer is available 7-9 a.m. Mondays-Wednesdays during the shutdown. Patrons must provide a valid ID to take advantage of the special.
Helotes-based Spread the Loaves, 14743 Old Bandera Road, Bldg. 6, is offering complimentary sourdough bread for those in need. The bread is available during business hours while supplies last.
People looking to donate food or pet food may contribute to a human food and pet food drive being conducted by San Antonio District 3 City Councilmember Phyllis Viagran’s office. Requested items may be dropped off at the District 3 field office, 3124 Sidney Brooks, Suite 570-B, now through Nov. 21. Call (210) 207-0969 or email council.district3@sanantonio.gov for details.
The retailer Natural Grocers is holding its annual in-store holiday fundraiser to support established local food bank partners. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 31. Customers can contribute in two ways: donate $1, $5 or $10 at the register or buy and donate nonperishable items. In the San Antonio area, Natural Grocers stores can be found at 13310 NW Military Hwy. and 6514 N. New Braunfels Ave.
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department is holding its annual Thanksgiving food drive now through Nov. 26. Residents are encouraged to take two non-perishable food items to their nearest San Antonio public city parks facility during normal operating hours.
Seeds of Love is collecting canned yams and canned green beans at the Garden Ridge Market Days on Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Seeds of Love will use food and monetary donations to prepare Thanksgiving meals for 120 area families. Market Days are held at Northeast Bible Church, 19185 FM 2252, in Garden Ridge.
CPS Energy customers seeking help with paying utility bills may apply for formal assistance or for the agency’s affordability discount program.
Additional local assistance can be found at the San Antonio Community Resource Directory.
