The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.

Eric Bloodsaw spotted the table with chili Sunday afternoon from across a parking lot in South Dallas. He almost could not believe it. The 44-year-old man said he has eaten little in recent days. With continued uncertainty over funding for federal food benefits,

The Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to act now in using the state's Rainy Day Fund to provide funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the government shutdown may cause those 3.

Democrats argue Gov. Abbott has used his authority during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting and border operations to free up emergency funds.

As the federal government shutdown continues, food banks across East Texas are ramping up emergency response efforts to support families who have missed paychecks and are impacted by a potential disruption in SNAP benefits.

"We've never in the 18 years of Minnie's Food Pantry being here, in the 31 million meals we've served, had to turn away a person," Chery Jackson said. "Am I concerned about it today? Absolutely."

From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, leaders will give away free BBQ meals at Faithful Missionary Baptist Church in Oak Cliff.

As the nation prepares for SNAP benefits to halt on Saturday, leaders turned their attention to public schools. For millions of students, school is the most reliable source of meals.