H-E-B Donates $6M to Texas Food Banks, Meals on Wheels Amid Shutdown Hunger Risk

Texas grocer H-E-B has pledged a $6 million donation to combat food insecurity in the state amidst a federal government shutdown threatening to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 3.5 million Texans. The donation consists of $5 million to food banks across Texas via the Feeding Texas network and $1 million to Meals on Wheels Texas, which supports homebound seniors and disabled individuals at risk of hunger. The shutdown has already led to funding reductions for Meals on Wheels, forcing some local branches, like San Antonio's, to cut services for seniors. Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole and Meals on Wheels Texas Board President Olivia Burdick highlighted the critical timing and profound positive impact of H-E-B's generosity during these challenging times. Additional community support includes a $192,000 donation from Bill Miller Bar-B-Q to sustain meal deliveries through January. Hunger remains a significant issue in Texas, with over 22% of children and 13.6% of seniors at risk, underscoring the importance of these contributions as federal aid pauses.