As thousands of Harvey survivors spent hours in line attempting to meet the deadline for emergency food aid, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), TMO leaders organized a press conference at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church to demand an extension of the deadline for families.
Said Fr. Simón Bautista, “For two days in a row [my parishioner] got in line at 6 a.m. and by the time she was seen, around 7 p.m., she was told that her last name was not being seen that day. She returned at 3 a.m. to find that 10 to 15 individuals were already in line. These individuals and families have been waiting in the heat, missing work and some still haven’t received the benefits.”
TMO called on federal and state legislators to extend the deadline because “families are desperate for food resources and many have not been able to access D-SNAP benefits due to long lines.”
More than one week later, state officials announced a three-day extension of the deadline for families to enroll.
The Rev. Dr. Rhenel Johnson recognized Congresswoman Lee for "listening to the cry of the people." TMO is now calling for more locations throughout Harris County.
Sheila Jackson Lee Celebrated for Her Involvement in Extending D-SNAP Services in Houston, KIAH Newsfix
Piden Extender D-SNAP en el Condado de Harris, Telemundo
State Health Officials Continue Harvey Food Assistance Program, Houston Chronicle [pdf]
TMO Demands Extension of Deadline for Harvey Victims to Sign Up for D-SNAP, Houston Public Media
Community Leaders Push for D-SNAP Extension, Click 2 Houston
Appeal for Aid on Behalf of Needy, Houston Chronicle [pdf]