Dear Friends,

Starting at 12:01 AM on October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a “shutdown” caused by a lapse in government funding. Despite controlling the House, Senate, and Presidency – the three bodies necessary to fund the government – Congressional Republicans chose to shut the government down rather than find common ground and negotiate with Congressional Democrats. Please know that I am doing everything I can to bring Congressional Republicans back to the negotiating table to re-open the federal government as soon as possible. 
 
Rest assured that essential services related to national security, the postal system, and veterans’ healthcare will remain operational. However, if you have questions about this shutdown and what it might mean for you, I’ve put together an FAQ page on my website to explain a bit more about what services might be impacted. I also have compiled a list of useful local resources in South Texas.  
 
La información también está disponible en español. 

Cameron County: 
 
Loaves and Fishes Harlingen: 
https://lfrgv.org/ 
956-423-3051 
 
Loaves and Fishes Raymondville: 
https://lfrgv.org/ 

956-699-2170 
 
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health: 
24/7 Crisis Line: 877-289-7199 
https://www.ttbh.org/ 
 
Magic Valley Electric Cooperative: 
866-225-5683 
magicvalley.coop 
 
Harlingen VA: 
VA Mental Health Care  
855-864-0516 
https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-health-care/locations/harlingen-va-clinic/ 
 
Brownsville VA Outpatient Clinic  
Main line: (956) 366-4500 
https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-health-care/locations/brownsville-va-clinic/ 
Hotline: 988 Press 1 
 
Cameron County Veterans Service Office 
(956) 544-0811 
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/veterans-department/ 
 
Catholic Charities of Brownsville 
955 W. Price Road 
Brownsville, Texas 7850 
(956) 541-0220 
 
Abundant Life Church  
Food Pantry and Assistance 
101 North “O” Street 
Harlingen, Texas 78550 
Email: [email protected] 
 
Church of the Advent Episcopal  
Food Pantry 
104 W. Elizabeth Street 
Brownsville, Texas 78520 
(956) 542-4123 
[email protected] 
 
Our Lady of Good Counsel  
Food Pantry and Assistance 
1055 Military Road 
Brownsville, Texas 78520 
 
Cameron County Emergency Assistance (ERA) 
 (956) 541-4983 
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ERA-Corrected.pdf 
 
Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) 
(956) 983-6100 
https://www.brownsville-pub.com/about/public-outreach-assistance-programs/assistance-programs/ 
 
Good Neighbor Settlement House, Inc.  
1254 East Tyler Street, Brownsville, Texas, 78520 
(956) 542-2368 
 
Los Fresnos Community Food Pantry   
810 W Oceans Blvd, Los Fresnos, TX 78566  
(956) 266-0695 
 
Salvation Army Food Bank  
119 East Monroe Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550  
 (956) 423-2454  
 
San Benito Food Pantry Inc.  
2007 E Expressway, San Benito, TX 78586  
 (956) 572-0003 
 
Cameron and Willacy Counties Community Projects, Inc. 
(956) 544-6411 
864 Central Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78520 
 
Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) 
1822 W Jefferson Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550 
(956) 423-1100 
https://cacost.org/programs/ceap-utility-assistance/ 
 
Hidalgo County: 
 
McAllen VA Outpatient Clinic 
Main line: (956) 618-7100 
https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-health-care/locations/mcallen-va-clinic/ 
 
McAllen VA Mobile Medical Unit: 
Main line: (956) 618-7100 
https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-health-care/locations/mcallen-va-mobile-medical-unit 
 
Hidalgo County Veterans Service Office 
(956) 318-2436 
https://www.hidalgocounty.us/73/Veterans-Services 
 
Community Action Corporation of South Texas  
https://cacost.org/housing-utilities/ 
1216 E Jasmine Ave, Suite B,  
McAllen, Texas 78501 
Phone: (956) 787-2539 
Fax (361) 664 – 0120 
 
Hidalgo County Community Service Agency  
https://hidalgocsa.org/ 
2524 N Closner Blvd,  
Edinburg, Texas 78541 
Phone: (956) 383-6240  
 
Utility Assistance; Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
(877) 399-8939 
https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Texas.htm 
 
RGV Food Bank:  
https://foodbankrgv.com/  
956-682-8101 
 
Kleberg County: 
 
Kleberg County Veterans Services  
(361) 595-8552 
 
Kleberg County Human Services  
https://wwfw.navigatelifetexas.org/en/services-groups-events/services/kleberg-county-human-services 
1216 E Jasmine Ave Suite B,  
McAllen, Texas 78501 
Phone: (361) 296-3351 
 
CPL Retail Energy  
844-292-6128 
[email protected] 
 
St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church  
Food Pantry 
1120 S. 8th Street  
Kingsville, Texas 78363 
(361) 887-6291 
[email protected] 
https://www.facebook.com/stgertrudekingsville/ 
 
First Kingsville Church Food Pantry  
312 W. King Ave. Kingsville, TX 78363  
(361) 592-3344  
https://www.firstkingsville.org/food-pantry 
 
Willacy County: 
 
Cameron and Willacy Counties Community Projects, Inc. 
(956) 544-6411 
864 Central Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78520 
 
State and Federal Resources 
Veterans Crisis Line: 
Phone: 998 (1) or text- 838255 
*don’t need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect to services* 
 
State Resources: 
 
2-1-1 Texas 
Phone: 2-1-1 Website: https://www.211texas.org/ 
Offers: Resources for veterans, housing/shelter, employment, food/nutrition, crisis/emergency, income/expenses, legal aid/victims, aging/disability, health/medical, mental health/substance use. 
 
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs 
https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/help-for-texans 
 
CPL Retail Energy  
844-292-6128 
[email protected] 

 
If you are a federal employee or someone impacted by the shutdown, please know that my office remains open and here to help. You can contact us at (956) 682-5545 or (202) 225-2531 if you need assistance, or would like to share your thoughts on this issue.  
 
If you are planning to travel to Washington, D.C. during the shutdown, please be aware that some federally funded attractions may be closed or operating with limited service. Our office is happy to help you plan a meaningful trip by suggesting alternative attractions, such as monuments, memorials, and museums that will remain open. Below are some highlights you can still enjoy during your trip. 

Monuments and National Park Service Sites:  
 
While visitor services may be limited, open-air parks such as the National Mall and Rock Creek Park remain accessible. You can still enjoy walking the Mall and viewing iconic sites from the outside, including the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol Building. 
 
The following monuments will remain open to the public: 

Martin Luther King Memorial 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial 
Korean War Veterans Memorial 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial 
World War II Memorial 
World War I Memorial 
 
Museums: 
Museums run by the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Zoo, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Archives will remain open through October 6.  
Other museums remaining open: 

The People’s House: A White House Experience 
International Spy Museum 
National Children’s Museum 
National Law Enforcement Museum 
Museum of the Bible 
 
We understand how disappointing this uncertainty may be as you plan your visit, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Tour Coordinator at [email protected] or (202) 225-2531. 

Warm regards, 

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez

Please do not reply to this email as this inbox is not monitored. Instead, please visit Gonzalez.House.Gov or call us at (956) 682-5545 or (202) 225-2531.