SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - As the government shutdown wraps up its sixth day, some who get assistance from government food assistance programs to help put food on the table worry that funding could be on pause.

As of May 2025, 655,940 Missourians rely on SNAP benefits, roughly 10% of the population.

In Arkansas, the number of people enrolled is lower at 239,748, but since the population is lower, the percentage is higher; roughly 12.88% of the population.

“I’m massively concerned and worried about the shutdown and what it’s doing to this country and more or less, what it’s doing to the people,” said Brian Paschall, who’s one of the thousands of Missourians enrolled in SNAP. “I still don’t understand why the cuts have to come from us, the ones down here, and not the ones up at the top.”

See Full Page