Editor’s Note: The video accompanying this story aired on October 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 seniors, youth 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 about 41.7 million Americans in fiscal year 2024, The Hill reports. 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 severely impact families who rely on this assistance to put food on the table.
“The food pantry is already seeing a large number of neighbors coming to them for food assistance,” the release said.
The food pantry currently serves all of Bastrop County, from Cedar Creek to Smithville and from McDade to Elgin, the release said. These services include the following, which are provided by the food store:
- Emergency food assistance from 8am to 11:30am and 1pm to 3:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Fresh food distributions are available to the public from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the third Friday of each month
- Call 211 for any services needed outside of Bastrop County
For those who want to support the food pantry’s cause – whether it’s to donate food, donate to food or more – You can go to their website for more information.