In a Monday announcement, the Trump administration said it would release partial SNAP benefits to Texans on a staggered basis. (Christopher Penler/Shutterstock)
As the future of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits remains uncertain during the federal government shutdown, a local school district is stepping up to make sure their students don’t go hungry.
Beginning Oct. 5, Houston ISD is expanding its breakfast and after school supper program to help support students who have been affected by the delay of SNAP funds. Students will now be allowed to take the free breakfast into the classroom if they need to finish their meal. HISD’s after school supper program will now be extended to 99 additional campuses, bringing the number from 132 to 231.
There are an estimated 1.7 million children in Texas who receive SNAP benefits.
“It makes us feel great to be able to help them get something to eat throughout the day,” Wainwright Elementary School team lead Elizabeth Hernandez told the Houston Chronicle. “It’s a major part of their lives for them to get breakfast and have a healthy day so they can … focus on their subjects.”
The district’s eight Sunrise Centers are also available for families to pick up food, clothing, and hygiene items, as well as medical and mental health, free of charge.
In a Monday announcement, the Trump administration said it would release partial SNAP benefits to Texans on a staggered basis. It is expected that households will receive about 50% of their normal benefits. President Trump later threatened on Tuesday to deny food stamps for roughly 42 million low-income Americans until the end of the government shutdown, even though a federal court ordered the administration to continue the aid payments into the month.
The government shutdown started on Oct. 1, due to Republicans and Democrats unable to agree on passing a bill funding government services. Democrats are holding strong, hoping to ensure that ACA subsidies are passed to ensure health insurance remains affordable, and to reverse the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicaid.
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