Breckenridge Texan

Stephens County residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will have another opportunity to get help this weekend as the community continues to assist families affected by the federal government shutdown.

The second round of food card distribution will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at the First Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center, according to information provided by Will Thompson with  Stephens County Mission for Hope.

Those currently approved for and receiving SNAP benefits in Stephens County are eligible to participate. “If your benefit amount has been reached through this effort, you will not be eligible for additional benefits for November,” Thompson said in the update.

Participants must attend in person and provide a current ID with a current address in Stephens County, as well as either a SNAP card showing their name or a letter of verification from the Health and Human Services Commission. Each participant will be asked to sign an affidavit on site verifying eligibility and confirming that they have not received duplicated benefits.

The local emergency food card program was launched last week after community leaders met to discuss how to help residents who would not be receiving their federal SNAP benefits because of the federal government shutdown. County Judge Michael Roach, Stephens County Emergency Management Coordinator David Leonard, and others representing local churches and agencies developed the plan to collect grocery store gift cards or donations that would be used to purchase the cards.

As of August 2025, there were 550 SNAP cases in Stephens County, providing food to 1,147 people — about 10 percent of the county’s population. The average amount per household was $335 per month, with a total of $184,424 in SNAP benefits typically distributed monthly in Stephens County.

The cards are distributed through the nonprofit organization Stephens County Mission for Hope. The first round of distributions took place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at the same location.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to fill the $184,000 hole, but I’m just saying I think what we can do and what we should do — and this is just my opinion — is provide a meal a day,” Roach said during the Oct. 27 meeting. “We’ve done this before. … I know that’s not going to be enough, and certainly there are people, people who depend on that, they’re going to be hurting. And what we provide is not enough, however, it’s all we can do.”

After the first distribution day, Thompson posted on Facebook, “This community is amazing. Since the announcement of the loss of SNAP funding last Monday, we have seen an outpouring of generosity. The response has been way beyond expectations. We have received donations from individuals, churches and businesses from $10 to $5,000. We are not able to replace what SNAP does, but we will be able to provide some help to those in need. And the recipients have been grateful and appreciative of the efforts.”

For more information about the Saturday distribution, residents can contact Stephens County Mission for Hope at 254-249-4200.

Those wishing to support the effort can donate by purchasing $50 gift cards from United. “At the time of purchase request the cards be designated for the SNAP Food Card Campaign,” Thompson said.

Although some SNAP recipients received local assistance through the grocery card program, not everyone received the full amount of their usual monthly benefits; donations are still being accepted to help local families buy food. Cash donations may be made at First Methodist, First Baptist or ONE Church. Checks should be made payable to “Stephens County Mission for Hope.”