With the threat of losing SNAP benefits for millions of Americans, this may be an opportunity for Texans helping Texans.
There are a number of restaurants indicating deals to those with a SNAP card if benefits lapse because of the ongoing government shutdown.
Dr. Allison Russell with The University of Texas at Dallas says people who can help may be asked to. This would be similar to just a few years ago during Covid-19 lockdowns when many services were interrupted.
"During Covid we saw a lot of people picking up groceries for neighbors who were either older or maybe couldn't go out because they had some kind of health condition," Dr. Russell said.
She says restaurants and neighbors though won't be the first line of defense.
Food banks and pantries are stocking up and asking for donations.
"This is the time to really kind of see and step up and say what can we do as a community," she said. "How can we kind of come together?"
Many expect a sharp increase in demand if SNAP benefits run dry.