SNAP recipients and federal employees are leaning on their communities for support as the federal government shutdown drags on, halting food stamp payments and workers’ paychecks.
The Trump administration on Tuesday announced plans to distribute partial SNAP payments after federal judges ordered it to release the food assistance funds. More than 67,000 households in El Paso County receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, according to state data.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank is expecting an increase in patrons, while other private and public organizations have stepped in to provide free food to families.
Here are meal distributions, food pantries and resources around El Paso – and how you can help their operations. Check social media or call ahead for changes in availability.
Free Meal Distributions
Birria El Güero
- Birria ramen at the food truck, starting at noon from Thursday to Friday and 10 a.m. from Saturday to Sunday 3800 N. Zaragoza Road. 915-232-7364, Instagram.
Cafe Piro
- “Pozolito special” 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, 9993 Socorro Road, Socorro. Instagram
- How to help: Owners ask supporters to “pay it forward however possible.”
Coffee Waffle
- Meals during business hours. 13178 Alameda Ave., Clint. 915-232-1356, Facebook.
Food Not Bombs
- Meals and living supplies 2 p.m. Saturdays, Houston Park, 900 Montana Ave.. Instagram
- How to help: Donate or sign up to volunteer.
Old Sheepdog Brewery
- Breakfast burrito for federal government employees, SNAP beneficiaries and their family members during business hours. Must bring a government ID or EBT card. 3900 Rosa Ave. 915-702-0055, Instagram.
- How to help: Volunteer in the kitchen with a Texas food handlers card.
Mexican Candy Lady
- Ramen and snack bags to children younger than 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Children must be present. 12301 Rojas Drive, Suite A4. 915-335-0113, Instagram.
Mustard Seed Cafe
- Lunch provided 11 a.m.-2 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, Westside Community Church, 201 E. Sunset Road, El Paso. 915-440-7333, Website
- How to help: Donate or become a volunteer.
Pete’s Plate – UTEP Women’s and Gender Studies
- Warm meals, sandwiches and snacks for students and staff 8 a.m.-5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, University of Texas at El Paso, Liberal Arts Building, Room 233. 915-747-5200, Instagram.
- How to help: DM on Instagram or email hontiberos@utep.edu.
Sabrositos Antojitos de Mexico
- Bean burrito for every child or teenager, who must be present for pickup, during business hours. 919 Fabens Road, Suite F, Fabens. 915-873-5024, Instagram.
- How to help: Add a 99-cent bean burrito to your order to pay it forward.
Socorro ISD Supper Program
- Dine-in meals for children ages 1-18, from Monday to Thursday.
- Eastlake High School from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.
- Desert Wind School, Ernesto Serna Elementary, Robert R. Rojas Elementary, Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary and Vista del Sol Elementary from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.
Spoon Flower Grocery
- Sack lunches available during business hours. 1714 Yandell Drive. 915-219-8900, Instagram.
- How to help: Donate.
Weirdoughs Bakery
- Egg and cheese sandwich for children during business hours. 2900 N. Mesa St. 915-231-6378, Instagram.
You Eat I Eat
- Food pantry and meal distribution 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8888 Dyer St., No. 412. 915-222-4740, Facebook.
- How to help: Call or email youeatIeatcorp@gmail.com.
Food Pantries and Free Groceries
Borderland Rainbow Center
- Open first three Mondays of every month, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 2714 Wyoming Ave. 915-263-4623, Instagram.
- How to help: Donate, contact ED@borderlandrainbow.org to donate items or volunteer.
El Paso Community Foundation
- The organization’s partners, such as Project Bravo, are distributing debit cards to their clients.
- How to help: Donate to the El Paso Community Debit Card Program.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank
- 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, 9541 Plaza Circle.915-298-0353.
- How to help: Donate or volunteer.
Food pantries the food bank distributes to include, but are not limited to:
- ALaMITO STREAM Learning Center: Operated by El Paso Independent School District, but open to anyone in the community. First Tuesday of the month, starting at 10 a.m.
- Irvin High School: Serves families in the school’s feeder pattern, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Thursdays, 5400 Sanders Ave. Contact aidelaho@episd.org for ways to help.
- Guillen Middle School: Serves families in the Bowie High School feeder pattern, 1-6 p.m. Thursdays, 900 S. Cotton St. Contact aidelaho@episd.org for ways to help.
- El Paso Community College – Valle Verde Campus: Valid EPCC student ID required.
- Kelly Center for Hunger Relief: 9 a.m.-2 p.m Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.
- La Familia del Paso: 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, 415 E. Yandell Drive. Organizers advise to arrive early and bring your own box or bag to transport your food. 915-532-9434.
- Ysleta Lutheran Mission: 6:30-8:30 a.m. Saturdays, behind Food King, 301 S. Schutz Drive. 915-858-2588.
For a map of distribution locations, including more churches, visit elpasoansfightinghunger.org/map. You can contact each location to find out how to donate or volunteer with them directly.
RELATED: One-third of community college students are food insecure. Here’s what EPCC is doing
Food City
- Applications are on pause for gift cards to SNAP recipients and federal workers, but people can follow the grocery store’s website and social media for when applications reopen.
- How to help: People can purchase gift cards to donate at any Food City location in El Paso or make a large donation at 915-779-3641.
Rosies Dhaba
- Food packages that include dry and canned goods available at food truck. Weekly schedule posted online. 915-667-3899, Instagram.
- How to help: Bring canned goods and shelf-stable food, such as unopened tortillas, to the food truck. You can also drop off hygiene and baby products, such as formula.
University of Texas at El Paso
- Food Pantry: For students and staff. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 101 W. Robinson Ave., El Paso. Instagram.
- Mobile Food Pantry: For students and staff. Monday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Glory Road Parking Lot (GR2). 915-747-5076, foodpantry@utep.edu.
To find more food pantries near you, search your ZIP code on the Texas Health and Human Resources website here.
The post With SNAP benefits in limbo, here’s where to find free food, donate to help across El Paso appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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