The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.

East Texans who rely on federal food assistance will see their cards dry up, with no benefits issued this Saturday — a result of the second-longest federal government shutdown in American history, placing the responsibility on local food banks’ shoulders.

"We've never in the 18 years of Minnie's Food Pantry being here, in the 31 million meals we've served, had to turn away a person," Chery Jackson said. "Am I concerned about it today? Absolutely."

As lawmakers continue to battle over the government shutdown and SNAP benefits have been halted, Brazos Valley residents are taking steps to raise money for local food pantries as the holiday season approaches.