Newspapers Launch Food Drive to Support Families Affected by SNAP Gap

It’s being called the SNAP gap, as families all over central Texas will find tough going even tougher.

As has been well documented, the federal government shutdown is impacting payments to lower-income families. In some cases, it might be weeks or even months before it resumes.

Texas Local Media, a newspaper chain that owns more than 30 newspapers in the Lone Star state, has seven newspapers in central Texas: The Mexia News and Groesbeck Journal in Limestone County, the Marlin Democrat and Rosebud News in Falls County, the Cameron Herald and Thorndale Champion in Milam County, and the Freestone County Recorder-Chronicle. Over the holidays, those papers are stepping up to help families in their counties by organizing food drives. And to make it a little more interesting – and hopefully bring more food in, those papers are asking each community to help them compete against each other.

“The idea will be to see which paper, i.e., community, can create the most food,” regional publisher Tim Timmons said. “We’ll then work with local groups to ensure it gets donated to the folks who need it most.”

Timmons said that each paper will donate a free three-month digital subscription to anyone who brings in four non-perishable items betwee4en now and the end of the drive, bring in more items than four, and give the gifts of another subscription for two or more.

“We know it’s a tough time,” he said. “We’re just trying to do our part to help.”

The collected food will be distributed to local food pantries, churches, and community aid groups across our counties. Donations can include canned vegetables, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and other shelfstable goods.

Normally, the start of a new month brings a restock of benefits for many Americans who rely on SNAP for food assistance. But as of November 2, those benefits remain on hold amid the ongoing government shutdown, leaving families nationwide scrambling for help.

“Our local papers have always been about community,” said regional editor Jennifer Paul. “This is another way to put that mission into action, but also have a little internal contest fun.”

Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at the newspaper offices. The publications plan to continue the drive as long as the SNAP delay impacts local families.

Let’s come together to fight hunger and lift up our community — support the food drive and help your hometown newspaper bring home the win!

WHO: Texas Local Media WHAT: Newspaper Food Drive WHEN: Now WHERE: Marlin Democrat, 251 Live Oak St.

WHY: Because some of our neighbors are in need