HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Local leaders formed a fund to keep people in Hays County fed amid uncertainty surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, was set to freeze payments on Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown blocking program funding. President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Monday that it would use an emergency fund to cover half of SNAP’s monthly costs.
Then, on Tuesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would withhold SNAP benefits until the end of the government shutdown.
“In general, there has been a lot of uncertainty,” said Lisa Young, the executive director of the Hays County Food Bank. “This comes at a very difficult time when people are really celebrating being around the table together. To then have grocery benefits cut is a blow,” Young said.
Around 13% of Americans rely on SNAP benefits. In Hays County, around one in six people are food insecure, according to previous reporting. Young said the number of clients relying on the food bank has surged in recent weeks.
“People have been very fearful about this, which has now come to pass with SNAP being cut off,” Young continued.
Around 17,000 people in Hays County rely on SNAP to keep food on their tables. Young said that the food bank is trying its best to fill the gap.
United Way of Hays & Caldwell, a local nonprofit, announced on Monday it was launching the For Our Neighbors Fund — a coordinated initiative with the Hays County Food Bank, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District and the San Marcos Community Foundation — to support the Hays County Food Bank.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds are going to the Hays County Food Bank as they scale up their operations,” said Miguel Arredondo, president of United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties.
Arredondo said the fund has already raised $30,000 toward its $70,000 goal by the end of this week. The money will help the food bank purchase more supplies and add staff to meet growing demand.
“As they scale up, as they have to ask their employees to work more hours and open up additional days and slots for families to come in, they need those resources to also support that effort,” Arredondo said.
People can donate to the fund at this link.
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