HOUSTON – A single mother who had her SNAP benefits stolen and used across the country received a surprise from a Houston nonprofit.
Kimberely Edwards has been living in a Houston area hotel room since 2023 with her son, who’s a senior in high school.
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She contacted 2 Helps You in April after watching our KPRC 2 investigation into stolen SNAP benefits.
SNAP is the largest food assistance program in the country.
Edwards was a victim of SNAP skimming in February.
KPRC 2 shared her story that resulted in her benefits being used at a grocery store in the Chicago area.
MORE INFO: ‘Buffet for fraudsters’: SNAP cards lack security measures to protect benefits, experts say
Doyle and Melanie Armstrong saw her story and asked KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding if they could help.
“When I seen the segment, it really touched us on your situation here and you know we hope everybody could reach out and give you a hand but you know I just want you to know you’re not alone,” Doyle said.
He and his wife operate a nonprofit scholarship and food pantry named after Doyle’s late mother, Shirley L. Armstrong.
On Thursday, Armstrong and KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding surprised Edwards at the hotel where she‘s living at in Northwest Houston.
The Armstrongs presented Edwards with $700 to help her with food.
“That good will always overcome any wrong, any evil,” Edwards said. “I’m grateful for anything and everything that anyone or will do for me and my son. Thank you, Houston!”
Currently, stolen SNAP benefits are not being replaced. Federal funding to do that ran out last December.
KPRC 2 reporting found that more than $380 million in SNAP benefits have been stolen over the last year and a half.
Congressman Al Green saw our KPRC 2 investigation and filed legislation in Washington D.C. to bring back the federal money to replace the stolen SNAP benefits.
