As the second month of the federal government shutdown looms, advocates say thousands of Minnesotans could go hungry starting Nov. 1.

Because of the shutdown, state officials say there is not enough federal funding for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food benefits to low-income families, to offer money to Minnesota participants for the upcoming month. On top of that, local food shelves say they are already strained from increased need. • State to send$4 million to food shelves as shutdown threatens SNAP aid • Facing ‘perfect storm’strained Minnesota food banks brace for impact of SNAP funding halt • Minnesota food shelvesare looking more like grocery stores, but federal cuts threaten their future • Families could go hungryif SNAP benefits end on N

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