It’s not clear how soon assistance could reach people and the rulings could be appealed, The Associated Press reported.

As the nation prepares for SNAP benefits to halt on Saturday, leaders turned their attention to public schools. For millions of students, school is the most reliable source of meals.

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

Millions of Texans are expected to be impacted by the halt in SNAP benefits next month, as a result of the government shutdown. Austin-area food banks stay open to help those facing food insecurity.

Millions of Texans are facing a gap in food assistance during the current government shutdown. Austin-area food pantries, restaurants, and other organizations are stepping up, and they'll need help from locals to keep it going.

Those who rely on SNAP to buy groceries for themselves and their families make up about 12% of all grocery sales nationwide, according to the National Grocers Association.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, is the country’s largest anti-hunger program. Teixeira argued that the ongoing government shutdown is “exposing serious problems” in the program, which is set to expire on Friday.

Already strained by federal funding cuts earlier in the year and a surge in demand from furloughed federal workers, food banks face a fresh wave of need as SNAP benefits end Saturday.