Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting & Photos By Gary Norman / Mineral Wells Area News

As the federal government shutdown drags into its second week, families across Palo Pinto County are bracing for an uncertain month ahead. With Congress still at an impasse over a continuing-resolution bill, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — is running dangerously low, putting pressure on already-stretched local food networks.

SNAP helps low-income families buy groceries through a federally funded benefits card, administered by states. According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 1,574 active cases in Palo Pinto County provide assistance to 3,349 residents — roughly 12 percent of the population. Nearly half of those recipients are under 18, and about one in six are over 60.

Nationwide, over 42 million people rely on SNAP. A November 3 CBS News report said the Trump administration plans to tap $4.6 billion in contingency funds to partially cover November benefits — roughly half the typical monthly allotment, with no plan yet for December. However, on November 4, at 2pm, at publication time, MWAN learned President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that SNAP would not be funded until the government shutdown ended.

‘It’s Kind of a Scary Situation’

For Mineral Wells resident Naomi, a single mother of three teenagers, the uncertainty feels personal. Although she works two jobs, she relies on SNAP and local food pantries to make ends meet.

“Extremely,” she said when asked how worried she is. “We’re coming up on the time of year that people are struggling anyway. It’s getting colder. They’re going to be struggling to pay their bills. And then we’ve got the holidays on top of that … and now they’re going to have to choose between celebrating Christmas, buying gifts or having their Christmas dinner or paying their bills.”

Naomi said she is trying to stretch her remaining balance and stock up on staples. “We’re kind of stocking up as much as possible with whatever benefits we have left,” she said. “But I’m going to be stocking up as much as I can with staples because we’re going to have to eat every day, regardless. … I’ll go to as many food pantries as I can. We’re limited on those resources, so it’s kind of a scary situation.”

Regional Food Bank Warns of Crisis

If SNAP funding stalls, families like Naomi’s will turn to food pantries supplied by the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), which serves 13 counties across more than 10,000 square miles — a region larger than Vermont.

Stephen Raeside, Chief External Affairs Officer for TAFB, said demand has already jumped 25 percent in recent weeks.

“One out of six children in our region has been hungry in the last year — about 200,000 kids,” Raeside said. “That’s in normal times, and we’re quickly approaching a crisis that’s going to radically change that.”

He noted that on Halloween the organization lost $4.5 million in federal food-purchase funding. “That $4.5 million created a meal gap we didn’t quite fill with donations,” he said. “Now that seems small compared to the precipice we’re standing on with the potential loss of SNAP tomorrow.”

Local Partners Feel the Strain

The Center of Life in Mineral Wells is one of TAFB West’s partner agencies. The faith-based nonprofit provides food, clothing, and assistance with social-service applications for both housed and unhoused residents.

Executive Director Amber Brooks said shortages began months ago. “We started seeing it back in March when some of the food-bank funding got taken from across the state,” she said. “The biggest drop in the beginning was protein, and now it’s also fruits and vegetables. It’s just gotten harder and harder to get the items that we need.”

Brooks said her organization served 40 people in a single day last week — well above the usual 25. “It was standing room only,” she said. To keep up, the center is expanding community food drives, working with local banks and retailers, and planning future fundraising events.

Meals on Wheels of Palo Pinto County, which primarily serves senior citizens, is also watching the trend. Executive Director Courtney Lane-Auld said the loss of SNAP or WIC benefits could ripple through the entire charitable food network.

“The loss of SNAP or WIC benefits for families will further increase demand on those pantries, many of which are already struggling due to funding cuts and a decline in donations,” she said. “If any seniors are struggling right now, there are free congregate lunches every Monday for adults age 55 and older at the Mineral Wells Senior Center. Additionally, we now have dedicated funding for veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses 60 and older who fall below certain income levels, ensuring we can prioritize and protect those households from interruption of services.”

Backpack Buddies: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

One longtime partnership in Mineral Wells aims to fill the weekend food gap for children. Backpack Buddies, a program launched in 2009 by First United Methodist Church and Mineral Wells ISD, provides 300 bags of snacks and shelf-stable meals each week for students identified by teachers.

Pastor Beate Hall said her team is prepared for rising demand. “Numbers fluctuate weekly, and you add an external factor like this, the need is going to rise,” she said. “Because of the generous contributions made throughout the community, we’re stocked and ready to step up. But we’ll coordinate with the schools and identify those numbers on a week-to-week basis. In the nonprofit world, there’s a saying: ‘We put Band-Aids on bullet holes.’ It would be nice if we would just stop shooting.”

Mineral Wells ISD Superintendent David Tarver praised the effort. “In times of uncertainty, the strength of our community shines brightest through acts of quiet compassion,” he said. “Programs like Backpack Buddies — true heroes without capes — ensure that children in need have food to bridge the gap over the weekends. We are deeply grateful for our partnership with First United Methodist Church of Mineral Wells.”

How to Help

Local nonprofits say the best way residents can help is by donating funds, food, or volunteer time.

• Tarrant Area Food Bank: www.tafb.org
• Center of Life, Mineral Wells: www.mwcol.org
• Meals on Wheels of Palo Pinto County: www.mealsonwheelsofppc.org | (940) 325-7919
• Backpack Buddies (FUMC Mineral Wells): www.fumcmineralwells.org | (940) 325-4707 | backpackbuddiesmw@yahoo.com

Even amid uncertainty, local leaders say the generosity of Palo Pinto County residents keeps hope alive. Every donation, drive, and act of kindness helps ensure no one in our community faces hunger alone.