Food Insecurity

A federal judge has issued a blistering dissent after two other judges on the same panel blocked Texas’ congressional redistricting map from taking effect next year. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports the case has major ramifications for whether Republicans retain control of the House. After increased demand during the federal government shutdown, food pantries are expecting that to continue through the holiday season. The Central Texas Food Bank says some of its sites have had up to a 300% increase in people utilizing its services.

Federal food assistance has started to flow again after the government reopened. But the charitable food system is planning for continued need through the end of the year.

The Veterans Food Bank of Lubbock is set to open next month and organizers are calling on the community to contribute to its first food drive through Dec. 16. More information at the nonprofit's Facebook page. Our Samantha Larned reports now is an ideal time for folks to get their flu shots to reach peak immunity in time for Thanksgiving, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Meanwhile, after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP, some Texans have started receiving partial payments.

The federal government paused SNAP payments at the beginning of the month because of the shutdown.

Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funding to provide SNAP benefits. But it's unclear how much, or when, those funds would be provided before the funding runs dry.

Texas officials say food stamp benefits, which go to 1.7 million children, would not be distributed in November under an extended shutdown.

People working to address hunger say the canceled report is a main resource to understand where and how people are experiencing food insecurity across the country.

Lubbock ISD recently announced its campuses will now be offering free breakfast and lunch for all students through the Community Eligibility Provision. Outside of CEP, there are other meal resources for public school students and families.

School is back in session and students at Lubbock ISD are all eligible for free lunch, without needing to apply for meal services. Our Olivia O’Rand has more on the Community Eligibility Provision and what schools in other districts qualify as well. A former teacher and coach with Lubbock ISD has been accused of multiple counts of sexual assault. The teacher was placed on leave and resigned in 2024, and our reporter Bishop Van Buren says he was arrested last week.

Inflation has fallen slightly but grocery store prices are still much higher than they were before the pandemic. And that has many Americans looking for ways to save money. Along the U.S. southern border some families find savings by shopping in Mexico.