Concern is growing in Louisiana that money for food stamps could run out late next week if the federal government shutdown continues, interrupting a program that helps pay for groceries for roughly 800,000 people in the state.

The lack of funding for food assistance programs would hit people during a month with a major holiday, when kids are home from school and families are trying to plan a Thanksgiving meal, said Susan East Nelson, executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families.

“Kids aren’t going to have the food that they need right at the time as they’re not going to be in school because of the holiday,” she said. “You’re going to have kids who go without food.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides monthly benefits to low-income p

See Full Page