EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — More than three weeks into the federal government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could be the next major program to run out of funding. If the shutdown extends past Oct. 27, over 40 million Americans could lose access to food assistance.

In Texas alone, the potential cutoff could impact over 3 million residents, more than 150,000 of those people in El Paso.

Kris Yagel, interim CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, said the organization is bracing for a surge in need if SNAP funding is suspended.

“We are anticipating that, if this continues past the Oct. 27 date, we could have a surge in people needing assistance,” said Yagel. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst has kind of been our motto.”

At the Kelly Center for Hung

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