At IDEA Public Schools, we are committed to ensuring every scholar has access to nutritious, high-quality meals each day. As the federal government shutdown continues, we want to provide families with important updates and resources related to school meals and food assistance programs. 

School Meals Will Continue
Children who receive breakfast, lunch, or supper through IDEA’s school nutrition programs will continue to be served as normal through the remainder of October. Meals will remain free for all scholars, and our supper program will continue to operate at no cost for all children 18 years and younger. 

If the federal government shutdown extends for a prolonged period, there is a chance that reimbursement payments to school nutrition programs could be delayed. While this may eventually impact menu options or food availability, IDEA Public Schools is closely monitoring the situation and working with state and federal partners to ensure meal service continues uninterrupted for as long as possible. 

Supporting Families Facing Food Insecurity
We know that many families in our communities are facing additional challenges due to the shutdown. Food insecurity can create significant stress, and we want to help connect families to additional support. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please explore the following resources that provide free or low-cost groceries, meals, and community assistance: 

Texas 

• Austin: https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/emergency-response 

• • There’s a “Find Food Now” & “Food Distributions” button on the linked page where info this article also has more resources listed: https://www.statesman.com/news/article/snap-benefits-austin-food-bank-government-shutdown-21124975.php 

• DFW: Call 2-1-1 for the latest information on the SNAP program and find alternative food resources from area food banks, food pantries and other community resources. 

• • If you need food and live in Bosque, Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant or Wise counties, search the Tarrant Area Food Bank website for food pantries. 

• • If you need food and live in Collin, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Navarro, or Rockwall counties, search the North Texas Food Bank website for food pantries. · If you need food and live elsewhere in Texas, visit the Feeding Texas website to find your local food bank and food pantries. 

• Houston: Houston Food Bank  (Find local food and resources.) 

• San Antonio · https://safoodbank.org/help/ 

• RGV:  

• • Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (serving IDEA campuses in RGV, Brownsville, and surrounding areas)
    Address: 724 N Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 
    Phone: (956) 682-8101, www.foodbankrgv.com. 

• • DHR Health Food Pantry (Edinburg, TX)
    Address: 101 Paseo Del Prado Ave., Edinburg, TX
    Phone: (956) 362-2050, www.dhrhealth.com 

• • Catholic Charities RGV (San Juan, TX)
    Address: 700 N Virgen de San Juan Blvd
    Phone: (956) 702-4088 (Offers food, clothing, and shelter.)

• • Mission Resource Center
    Address: 115 S. Mayberry St., Mission, TX 
    Hours: (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.– 12 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.– 5 p.m.)  
    https://foodbankrgv.com 

• • Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley
    Address: Multiple locations across RGV
    Phone: 956-423-1014, https://lfrgv.org
    Provides a dining hall, food pantry, and other services.
     

• Permian Basin 

• • West Texas Food Bank (Odessa)
    Address: 411 South Pagewood Avenue, Odessa, TX, 79761
    Phone: 432-580-6333, https://wtxfoodbank.org/ 

• • West Texas Food Bank (Midland)
    Address: 601 Westcliff Drive, Midland, 79703
    Phone: 432-697-4003, https://wtxfoodbank.org/ 

Florida 

• Tampa Bay · https://feedingtampabay.org/snaprelief 

• Jacksonville
  • Food Pantry and Emergency Service Center
    Address: 3349 St. Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32207  
    https://ucomjax.org/ 

Ohio 

• Freestore Foodbank – Community Resource & Distribution Center on the Frank & Conny Gerson Campus:
  Address: 3401 Rosenthal Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45204
  Phone: 513-482-4500
  Hours: 8am-4pm M-F 

• Freestore Foodbank Customer Connection Center
  Address: 112 E Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
  Phone: 513-241-1064
  Liberty Street Market
  Varying hours of operation https://freestorefoodbank.org 

We’re Here for You
We are working diligently to ensure IDEA students continue to receive healthy, balanced meals each school day. If you have questions about your child’s meal access or need help connecting to local food resources, please reach out to your campus directly.