CRRC of Canyon Lake does not receive direct federal funding for its operations but the San Antonio Food Bank does.
Thanks to aggressive spending cuts by the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will no longer provide $1 billion to schools, food pantries and other feeding organizations to buy food for the people they serve.
“Our partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, which supplies the bulk of our discounted food inventory, is under pressure,” said CRRC Executive Director Tiffany Quiring, who oversees the nonprofit’s Food Pantry, which also provides Meals on Wheels for seniors.
“With their concerns over anticipated funding cuts and increased operational costs (such as tariffs on aluminum impacting canned goods), we are all bracing for the impact. Any reduction in food availability or increase in cost at the supply-chain level directly compromises our ability to meet basic needs locally.”
On March 20, Texas Public Radio reported the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program is worth $3 million to the San Antonio Food Bank.
President Eric Cooper said private donations cannot close the gap.
Quiring said the overall “tone” from CRRC clients is one of tentative crisis. Concern about stability in food access, housing affordability, and healthcare support is growing.
Canyon Lake’s rural nature compounds these challenges. Limited transportation, fewer healthcare providers and a lack of affordable services mean when federal supports are reduced — even indirectly — families have fewer safety nets.
“We anticipate greater strain on our emergency assistance programs, increased mental health needs, and more frequent resource-navigation requests from residents who are already living paycheck to paycheck,” she said.
CRRC will need to raise more funds, recruit and mobilize more volunteers, and expand community partnerships if it is to continue meeting clients’ rising needs without sacrificing service quality.
In the first quarter of 2025, CRRC distributed over $17,000 worth of financial assistance, helping to keep people “housed” and current on their water and electric bills. According to its website, CRRC serves 27% of Canyon Lake residents.
In an April 18 email, Quiring apologized for the need to send a second one begging the Canyon Lake community to step up.
“We’re welcoming over 50 new clients every month, and the calls for emergency renal and utility help keep coming in,” she said. “Our team is doing everything we can to meet those needs, and referring people to partner agencies when we’re stretched thin.”
CRRC provides vital social services and life-enriching opportunities. The nonprofit runs a food pantry, provides crisis assistance, performs wellness checkups and offers durable medical equipment. Much of its funding is raised through a thrift store located next to its main office, 1917 FM 2673.
The Recreation Center, located at 125 Mabel Jones Dr., provides healthy activities for residents. A Senior Center (temporarily meeting at St. Francis by the Lake Episcopal Church) serves monthly lunches for members and hosts mahjong, social time, movie days, potluck lunches and other activities.
