AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – On November 1, approximately 42 million people across the United States could see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance dry up amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will not use the SNAP contingency funding already allocated by Congress for emergencies
if the shutdown continues beyond Friday. If the federal government does not take action and states do not continue to provide SNAP assistance on their own,
people and families may be left to turn to local organizations and food banks that are already struggling to meet increased needs with fewer available resources.
In Amarillo and the surrounding region, the High Plains Food Bank had already reported a 31% increase in the number of families seeking regular help compared to last year, before the government shutdown began in October.
As the High Plains anticipates the lapse in SNAP assistance and a spike in need for resources, food pantries, nonprofit organizations, restaurants and others have begun to circulate information about where to find free or discounted meals for impacted individuals and families.
The lists below include food pantries and organizations offering food and resources for individuals and families, as well as free or reduced meals being offered by restaurants around the High Plains. The lists also include specific food giveaway events and donation drives for community members to participate in or attend to receive resources.
Food pantries and organizations
More food pantries and resource organizations can be found online here.
Amarillo, Texas
- High Plains Food Bank
- 815 Ross St., Amarillo, TX
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 806-374-8562
- hpfb.org
- Amarillo College Food Pantry
- West Campus: Building A – Room 104M | 806-354-6085
- East Campus: Student Service Center – Room 136 | 806-335-4351
- Moore County Campus: Room 111 | 806-934-7242
- Hereford Campus: 1115 West 15th | 806-379-2700
- The food pantry is available to currently enrolled AC students or employees. Students must be enrolled in courses for the semester in which they would like to access the pantry. Interested current students can access this service twice a month.
- Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle
- 2004 N. Spring St., Amarillo, TX
- Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- 806-376-4571
- cctxp.org
- Central Church of Christ
- 1401 S. Madison St., Amarillo, TX
- Sunday 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. | Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 806-373-4389
- amarillocentral.org
- Comanche Trail Church of Christ
- The Salvation Army of Amarillo
- 400 S. Harrison St., Amarillo, TX
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Dinner offered at 5 p.m. daily
- 806-373-6631
- salvationarmyamarillo.org
On Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., free produce and bread will be distributed at Hillside Christian Church, located at 3508 E 24th. A hot lunch will be served at 12 p.m.
Square Mile Community Development is also collecting food donations for community members, and called specifically for donations of fresh chicken, vegetable oil, rice, canned beans and flour. Donations can be dropped off at The PLACE, located at 3107 Plains Blvd., Suite 500, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Cash donations can be made online here.
Canyon, Texas
- WTAMU Tierra Blanca Food Pantry
- St. Helen’s Outreach at 3900 Tierra Blanca Dr., Canyon, TX
- Tuesday 3 p.m.-7 p.m. | Friday 9 a.m.-Noon
- 806-476-0204
- Serves food-insecure families, seniors (50+), and West Texas A&M University students who reside in Randall County. Follows High Plains Food Bank guidelines to qualify their clients; however, they say they will not deny anyone in need.
Perryton, Texas
- Jireh Outreach Ministries
Restaurants
Restaurants offering free or discounted meals for people impacted by the government shutdown and loss of SNAP assistance may ask for both a SNAP card and a driver’s license or photo ID.
Amarillo, Texas
- Malcolm’s Ice Cream & Food Temptations
- 2100 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, TX
- Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- 806-355-3892
- Malcolm’s Ice Cream & Food Temptations said it will begin offering a special from Oct. 29 through the end of the government shutdown. Kids’ meals will be reduced to $4 in price and adult burger meals will be reduced by $1 in price.
- Big Jim’s Pizza Co.
- 3801 Olsen Blvd., Amarillo, TX
- Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.- 12 a.m.
- 806-352-5050
- If SNAP is still not funded by Nov. 1, Big Jim’s is offering a free slice of pizza to kids ages 15 and under, for pick-up only. The child must be present to receive their slice. If a parent or guardian would like to place an order, a 10% discount will be applied.
- Community members who would like to sponsor a pizza may do so by contacting the store – via social media, by calling, or by visiting – after Nov. 1.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
- 5225 Coulter St S, Amarillo, TX
- Sunday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Friday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Offers a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult combo meal every first Tuesday of the month.
- Hud’s
- 4411 Bell St, Amarillo, TX | 7311 W Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX
- Weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Saturdays 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Offers a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult combo meal every Monday and Wednesday.
- Kind House Ukraine Bakery
- 4715 S Western St Amarillo, TX
- Tuesday – Friday from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- 806-220-8115
- kindhousebakery.org
- Offering a slice of bread and a bowl of soup for visitors “on us.”
Clovis, New Mexico
- Red Door Brewing Company
- 120 Maple, Clovis, NM
- Sundays 12 p.m.-6 p.m. | Monday-Thursday 3 p.m.-10 p.m. | Friday 3 p.m.-12 a.m.
- 575-268-3511
- “The Red Door Community Special” will start on Oct. 30, offering a free kids’ meal. The offer will be available until SNAP benefits are restored. The offer is dine-in only, and the child must be present.
Portales, New Mexico
- Do Drop In
- 123 S. Main St., Portales, NM
- Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
- 575-226-5282
- Children will eat free until SNAP benefits are restored, with one kids’ meal per child for dine-in. The child must be present when ordering.
- The offer is also extended to military families who are being impacted by the shutdown.
- AJ’s Wings
- 1301 S. Avenue D., Portales, NM
- Sunday 3 p.m.-8 p.m. | Thursday and Friday 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
- 575-226-4010
- Any child visiting will receive a free kids’ meal until SNAP benefits are restored. Limit of one kids’ meal per child – one strip or three wings with fries. The child must be present when ordering.
- AJ’s Wings is also accepting donations of eGift Cards to cover the cost of meals given out during this time, with donors able to send the cards directly to the business by entering “Portales” in the name field and sending it to CertifiedSaucy@gmail.com.
For the latest Amarillo news and regional updates, check with MyHighPlains.com and tune in to KAMR Local 4 News at 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 p.m. and Fox 14 News at 9:00 p.m. CST. This is a developing story. MyHighPlains.com will update this article as new information becomes available.
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