In La Porte, Texas, a distressing situation unfolded when Ashley Guzman discovered that her family’s government food benefits were stolen. Guzman, a mother of five, relies on the $536 she receives each month through the Lone Star Card to feed her children.
However, just hours after her benefits were deposited on June 7, they were drained from her account. The funds were spent at a Sam’s Club 1,100 miles away in Sunrise, Florida, leaving Guzman with no way to buy food for her family.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the benefits, informed Guzman that they would not replace the stolen funds. She would have to wait until the following month to receive her next deposit. With no other immediate options, Guzman turned to local resources for assistance.
The Growing Issue of SNAP Card Skimming
Guzman’s situation is part of a larger problem that has been affecting vulnerable families across the country. The Texas Inspector General has stated that electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card skimming, which began in 2022, has been on the rise.
Thieves plant skimming devices on card readers, cloning SNAP cards, and using them out of state. As a result, families like Guzman’s are left with no food and no immediate recourse for recovery.
Federal funding that once helped replace stolen SNAP benefits ended in 2024, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet. Guzman’s story highlights the devastating effects of this issue, as she now faces the difficult task of feeding her children without the benefits she depends on.
Local Community Comes Together to Help
Although the state was unable to assist her, Guzman found some hope in her local community. The Ray of Light Food Pantry, located at the Light of Christ Lutheran Church in La Porte, stepped in to provide emergency support. While the food pantry typically opens on Fridays after receiving its weekly shipments, volunteer Brenda made an exception to ensure Guzman and her family could receive the help they desperately needed.
Brenda shared that the number of families seeking assistance from the pantry has more than doubled in the past year, highlighting the growing need in the community. Guzman expressed her gratitude, noting that without the food pantry’s help, her family would have struggled to make it until her July benefits arrived.
“What you do is amazing. I appreciate it. My kids appreciate it,” Guzman said, clearly moved by the support she received from the local volunteers.
A Glimmer of Hope for Families in Need
With the help of the food pantry, Guzman’s family will be able to make it through the month until their next benefit deposit. However, Guzman hopes that her story will raise awareness about the challenges facing families who rely on SNAP benefits, especially in light of rising cases of card skimming. She also encourages other families who find themselves in a similar situation to reach out to local food banks for assistance.
As the community continues to support those in need, Guzman’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of local resources in times of crisis.
The theft of Ashley Guzman’s SNAP benefits is part of a larger, ongoing issue of card skimming that is leaving families in dire situations. With federal funding for stolen benefits no longer available, many families are turning to local food banks and charities for help.
In Guzman’s case, the kindness of the Ray of Light Food Pantry volunteers has provided her with the immediate support she needed. As the need for assistance continues to grow, communities will play a crucial role in helping those who need it most.
