The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a government food assistance program primarily for low-income individuals who receive a monthly stipend for food items. The program may stop sending money to qualifying Texans in response to insufficient funding starting Nov. 1.
More than 224,000 residents in Tarrant County are eligible for SNAP benefits as of September 2025, according to the Texas Health and Human Services department. Tarrant County has the fourth-highest number of cases in the state at 99,903, behind Harris, Dallas and Bexar counties.
In a nutshell
GRACE, a Grapevine-based nonprofit that offers food, financial aid, medical care, housing and seasonal support for families in crisis across northeast Tarrant County, posted on social media that it is preparing to meet the needs related to the ongoing government shutdown.
GRACE sent out an email Oct. 28 stating a critical request for help to meet the expected need coming in November.
The nonprofit asked for food donations to the pantry and monetary gifts to help meet housing, food or utility issues that will come with families not receiving SNAP benefits, according to an email. More information can be found at www.gracegrapevine.com.
GRACE has also posted an Amazon Wish List, where items can be purchased and shipped to the Grapevine headquarters.
How to help
6 Stones Compassion Ministries is a Euless-based nonprofit that partners with local food banks such as the Tarrant Area Food Bank and maintains a weekly pantry for more than 300 families a week.
Director of Compassion Ministries Suzie Lamparter said food pantries in the area have already seen an increase in people seeking emergency food assistance in recent months, and the organization is expecting to see continued increased demand next month because of the holidays accompanied by the government shutdown.
“We’re committed to serving every family who comes through our doors, but sustaining that commitment during this crisis will require substantial community support through both financial contributions and volunteer engagement,” Lamparter said in an email.
Lamparter said financial donations, which allows more families to be fed than individual grocery store purchases, and volunteers, who can help stock and organize inventory, are the greatest needs 6 Stones has at this time. More information can be found at www.6stones.org.
One more thing
The Roanoke Food Pantry serves residents of Roanoke and a portion of Fort Worth near the Texas Motor Speedway with clients who come once a month by appointment to receive goods.
Pantry representative Paula Johndrow said while the pantry receives many volunteers, the organization has a needs board for those interested in assisting with their work. She said those interested in assisting can visit the pantry along Pecan Street or give the pantry a call at 817-491-4451. More information can also be found at www.roanokefoodpantry.com.
