Border Report Live: Nonprofit ready to help South Texas families losing SNAP benefits

HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) -- As the government shutdown puts SNAP benefits in jeopardy, a nonprofit in the Rio Grande Valley is bracing for families who might need food assistance.

Dr. Rashmi Chandran, president and CEO of AltaCair Foundation, appeared on Border Report Live to discuss how the nonprofit is trying to anticipate the needs of this South Texas region should Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds end on Nov. 1.

More than 3.5 million Texans, accounting for more than 11% of the state's total population, receive SNAP benefits. This includes 310,061 Texans in the three counties served by the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.

Chandran tells Border Report's South Texas correspondent Sandra Sanchez that many more won't be able to put food on the table after Nov. 1 and will need help. That's when federal funds will run out unless Congress agrees to end the shutdown and vote in more money for the program.

AltaCair Foundation partners with over 150 organizations and corporate partners to bring resources to those in need in the Rio Grande Valley.

Originally from Mumbai, India, Chandran has lived in the Rio Grande Valley for 15 years. She says it is very similar to her homeland of India in terms of families who don't make enough money and lack basic essentials like health care, food, transportation and other amenities that most Americans take for granted.

Her organization works in colonias, unincorporated rural communities on the border, and takes their needs to area leaders, including local politicians and other nonprofits.

Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, serves on AltaCair Foundation's board.

About 1 in 8 Americans receive SNAP benefits averaging $187 per month. But unless the government reopens and approves funding for Fiscal Year 2026 there won't be money to issue payments starting Nov. 1.

The United States spends about $8 billion per month on SNAP subsidies.

On Tuesday, a coalition of two dozen attorneys general from several states and the District of Columbia, sued the Trump administration over its decision to suspend SNAP during the government shutdown. This includes: Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Texas was not on the list but is expected to be hit hard.

"Here in the Rio Grande Valley, our team is already seeing more families and first-time visitors seeking help as paychecks are missed. Many of our neighbors are worried, unsure if they will receive benefits next month and if they will have food to feed themselves and their families," Libby Saenz, CEO of the Food Bank RGV, said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Texas House Democrats announced the formation of a Committee on Texas Hunger Crisis. State Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, is on the 15-member committee.

Chandran says her office has been reaching out to Martinez and she hopes lawmakers in Austin realize how badly the Rio Grande Valley could be affected, especially since the region has a poverty rate of about 25% — some areas like Starr County top 30%. The poverty rate is nearly double the state rate and triple the national rate.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.