WACO, Texas — The government shutdown has officially ended, but the ripple effects are far from over for the more than 3.5 million Texans who depend on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

During the shutdown, families across Central Texas faced days without food assistance or received only partial payments, forcing many to turn to local food banks for the first time in their lives.

Caritas of Waco, which served over 91,000 individuals in McLennan County last year, reported a minimum 20% increase in families seeking help during the shutdown — with many visiting a food pantry for the first time.

"Coming to a food pantry for the first time can be difficult and scary and stressful, and especially when you come and there's a line outside the door, it's overwhelming," said Allison Denman

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