COMMENTARY: Shutdowns affect everyone

Joe Martinez

Joe Martinez, Ed.D., is a Doctor of Curriculum & Technology, a U.S. Military Veteran, and a San Benito native.

The ongoing government shutdown impacts the most vulnerable members of our community more than most any other group in the Valley. This group includes the poor, the elderly, single-parent households, and those living at or below the poverty level (which is over one-third of the community).

Government shutdowns affect us all in some way, such as SNAP benefits, which keep food on the table for families with modest means. This, in turn, impacts students who go hungry, ultimately affecting their academic progress.

Government shutdowns also affect the community, including stores such as HEB, Walmart, convenience stores and food vendors.

This, in turn, snowballs and impacts on other areas such as utilities that cannot be paid because families are now forced to choose between buying groceries for their loved ones or paying their electric bill, rent, or phone bills.

This, in turn, decreases the need for businesses to give more hours to their employees due to declining sales. This affects us all.

Another area that government shutdowns affect is truancy caused by people being unable to meet their basic food needs.

As of 2025, thefts numbered 647 and burglaries reached 92 in our community, and the year is not yet over. This should concern every resident because government shutdowns delay services that provide food essentials, which can lead to increased crime due to food insecurity.

What can citizens do to help fellow citizens weather the government shutdown storm? We can share some of our unused food can items and donate them to the local pantry or better yet, give to them monetarily.

Citizens can give leftovers away to their neighbors, save them a food plate, or donate to churches or charities that have food pantries that give to the needy.

Citizens can give their unwanted clothes to their local thrift store; which, in turn, either gives some of these clothes away or sells them at very low prices to the needy.

Bottom line, we can all do our part to help those in need.

I talked about a community kitchen earlier in a prior commentary, and I still believe that we need one here in San Benito, as this would truly help our community feed its needy population, to feed the hungry, and most importantly, to keep the decency of a higher standard of living for our citizens.

Community kitchens go a long way in serving good nutritious hot meals to all that need it, especially during times as these.