Editor’s Note: The video attached to this story aired on Oct. 27, 2025.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly 12,000 people in Bastrop County will lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds in November due to the government shutdown, the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry said in a news release.
“Millions of low-income Americans are expected to lose some or all of their food assistance due to new federal rules, including stricter work requirements for older adults, young people aging out of foster care, parents of teens, and others who were previously exempt,” the food pantry said in the release.
SNAP provided benefits to around 41.7 million Americans in fiscal 2024, according to reporting from The Hill. In that same year, the government spent $99.8 billion on SNAP. That’s a monthly average of $187.20 per participant.
As the government shutdown continues, the food pantry said “this will hit hard families who rely on this assistance to put food on the table.
“The Food Pantry is already experiencing a high volume of neighbors coming to them for food assistance,” the release said.
The food pantry currently serves all of Bastrop County, to Cedar Creek to Smithville and from McDade to Elgin, the release said. Those services include the following, which is provided by the food pantry:
- Emergency food assistance from 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- Fresh food distributions are available for the public from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on the third Friday of each month
- Call 211 for any services needed outside of Bastrop County
For those who would like to support the food pantry’s cause — whether it be to donate food, donate for or more — can go to its website for more information.
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