hunger

Starting April 1, Texans won't be able to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to purchase "candy or sweetened drinks." Texas retailers and nonprofits have spent month preparing for the new restrictions — but some recipients may not know until they're checking out at the store.

Starting April 1, Texans will no longer be allowed to use food stamps to buy sweetened beverages and candy.

Under new requirements, "able-bodied" recipients could lose access to benefits for three years if they go three months without documenting working hours.

Oklahoma funds to support food banks will stop now that the federal government shutdown is over. Still, one food bank expects to use the money that arrived to distribute thousands of meal boxes to eligible individuals in the coming weeks.

The state paid out November benefits amid changing conditions in court.

Kansas City area school districts are connecting families with food, clothing and other resources after the federal shutdown exacerbated their financial strain.

In Oklahoma and around the U.S., elected officials are seeking ways to provide food assistance to needy residents as the federal government shutdown affects SNAP.

Democrats and Republicans have different proposals to keep feeding hundreds of thousands of Kansans. Food banks are preparing for an influx of demand.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is joining Democrats from 24 other states in suing President Donald Trump's administration over the lapsed funding.

Food assistance for almost 700,000 Oklahomans in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will be suspended next month because of the federal government shutdown. People use the program to help buy groceries for their households.