As the federal shutdown drags on, food assistance benefits for some 750,000 Oregonians—and millions of other Americans—are set to lapse after Oct. 31, the state says.

The Oregon Department of Human Services on Monday began sending notices of the looming freeze to the Oregonians who receive benefits through the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (That’s 1 in 6 people living in the state.)

“During this time of uncertainty, we encourage everyone who receives SNAP to familiarize themselves with the free food resources in their community and to make a plan for what they will do if they do not receive their food benefits in November on time,” said ODHS Acting Director Liesl Wendt, in a written statement.

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 as Congre

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