The potential SNAP benefit delay could increase growing hunger crisis in Texas, a state which has the highest population of food insecure people in the U.S.

SNAP benefits inject over $450 million into the Texas economy every month through grocery purchases and retail spending, according to Texas Health and Human Services. Any disruption could impact both households that rely on the program and the local businesses that depend on consumer food spending.

SNAP benefit delays begin Nov. 1 — and the East Texas Food Bank said the state's emergency food system is bracing for a surge in need.

As the government shutdown continues, millions of people in the U.S. could lose their SNAP benefits by Nov. 1, according to the USDA.

About 3.5 million Texans—including 1.7 million children—could lose access to SNAP benefits next month if the shutdown continues.

H-E-B is also donating $1 million to Meals on Wheels Texas, which delivers more than 100,000 meals every day to homebound seniors who live alone. According to Feeding Texas, 13.6 percent of seniors in Texas are at risk of hunger.

As the government shutdown halts federal food assistance, North Texas families are turning to food pantries, where demand is surging amid fears of going hungry.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission said that SNAP benefits for November would not be issued if the federal government shutdown continued past Oct. 27. In North Texas, where grocery prices continue to climb, the loss of Supplemental Nutrition ...