STATEWIDE — Hoosier hunger relief groups and members of Congress say the real impact of the current government shutdown hinges entirely on how long it lasts.

For now, many major government programs will continue as normal because they are considered mandatory spending. This includes essential benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC), and school meals, have already secured their funding for October.

However, advocates warn that relief may be short-lived. Emily Bryant, the executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, said those key food programs could begin running out of administrative funds as early as late October or early November if

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