North Texas Restaurants Offer Free Meals for Kids as SNAP Money Ends

A federal judge in Rhode Island on Oct. 31 ordered the Trump administration to continue funding SNAP benefits, but there’s no word yet on when that might happen or whether the administration will appeal. For more on the story, see our update about the program in our news section.

North Texas restaurants are stepping up to feed hungry children as SNAP food benefits are set to expire on Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown.

Some 460,000 individuals in North Texas rely on the program — not all of whom are children — and local food pantries are preparing to step up and fill the gap left by the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. The end of the food benefits comes as thousands of federal employees are no longer receiving paychecks and have begun turning to the pantries for help.

Senate Democrats are refusing to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government unless Republicans include subsidies for people receiving medical insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Without the subsidy, which expire at the end of the year, insurance premiums under the program are set to skyrocket, doubling for some.

This sets the stage for a grim holiday season for those in need of food and medical care. Volunteers, along with these restaurants, are lending a hand. (If you know of other restaurants offering meals for SNAP recipients, please send us an email and we’ll update this list.)

Biundo’s Pizzeria
104 Second St., Venus
Free cheese pizzas every Tuesday for families who present a SNAP card, an ID and bring a child.

The Chestnut Tree
107 W Hickory St., Denton
All children visiting will receive a free meal — no purchase necessary, no questions asked — until SNAP benefits are restored for Texans. Please limit to one meal per child present. The restaurant is also partnering with Interfaith Ministries to collect nonperishable boxed breakfast items (such as oatmeal, cereal, and fruit bars) through November 15, which will be donated to families in need the week of Thanksgiving.

Chicken Salad Chick
Locations in Burleson, Fort Worth, Hurst, Midlothian, Southlake
Free kids’ meals, no questions asked. No purchase necessary. Some locations may require ID or a SNAP. Meals are dine-in only.

Marquez Bakery
1730 E. Division St., Arlington
Free meal for kids, limited to one meal per child present. No purchase necessary; dine in or to-go, no questions asked.

Wizards Sports Cafe
747 S. Central Expressway, Richardson
Wizards Sports Cafe, in conjunction with Rocco’s Italian Kitchen, 3634 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound, and Rocco’s Italian Cafe, 908 Audelia Road, Richardson, will offer free kids’ meals until SNAP benefits return. Dine-in only. One meal per child per day; parents must be present. No purchase necessary.

Food Pantries

The number of North Texas food pantries and meal providers is far too extensive to reproduce here, but the North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank maintain searchable lists, along with maps and information on partner agencies, online. You can also donate to both food banks or find volunteer opportunities. One important note, if you want to give, money is better than food items, as the food banks can stretch a dollar farther to feed more people.

“We anticipate a big increase in demand for our partner agencies,” Clarissa Clarke, the government relations officer for the North Texas Food Bank, told the Observer earlier this week. “… Those funds will not come to those people, and they will have to make up for it somewhere. So we are working. We are committed to getting food and serving all of our partner agencies and everyone who needs food.”