The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry is racing to meet a surge in demand from residents who need a helping hand, as policy shifts ripple through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and a prolonged government shutdown tightens household budgets.

SNAP is a government food assistance program primarily for low-income individuals who receive a monthly stipend for food items and is scheduled to stop sending money to qualifying Texans in response to insufficient funding.

The details

There are approximately 11,496 Bastrop County residents expected to lose SNAP assistance Nov. 1, according to BCEFP.

“Rising grocery costs and other household expenses are already making it difficult for many neighbors to afford groceries,” said Kelly Manfredini, director of marketing and communications for BCEFP, in a news release. “This will hit hard families who rely on this assistance to put food on the table."

Some context

In Bastrop County, where the average household spending on food is $9,200 annually, 15.4% residents experience food insecurity, 11.9% are below the poverty level, and 6.2% receive SNAP benefits, according to a Bastrop County Food Access Community Needs Assessment released by the Central Texas Food Bank.

“Each month, over 13,000 unique neighbors access charitable food programs in Bastrop County,” according to the Bastrop County Food Access CNA. “Many visit food pantries and meal sites multiple times throughout the month, resulting in approximately 21,000 total assistances.”

Zooming in

BCEFP services open to anyone in need include:

• Emergency food assistance from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• Fresh food distributions from 10-11 a.m. on the third Friday of each month

“If you or someone you know is in need, please reach out,” said Treha Silva, executive director of BCEFP. “We are here to serve our community, and together we will get through this difficult time because Bastrop County takes care of its own.”

The outlook

To sustain its response amid increasing demand, the pantry is calling on the community to help with food, funds and volunteer efforts.

“Donations of food and funds help ensure that we can meet the increased demand and provide nutritious meals to families who need them most,” Manfredini said. “Every donation helps feed children, seniors and neighbors struggling to make ends meet.”

BCEFP listed several ongoing opportunities to assist, including:

• Donate nonperishable food items to the BCEFP at 806 Fayette St., Bastrop
• Order food online and ship it to P.O. Box 953, Bastrop, TX 78602
• Contribute money online
• Host a food drive by calling the BCEFP office at 512-303-0033

Notable quote

“By coming together as a community, we can ensure that no neighbor goes hungry, even during challenging times,” Manfredini said.