Nonprofits are already seeing an increase in requests for food assistance, and that number could grow even more as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are paused starting Nov. 1.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said federal food benefits will not be issued after November because the “well has run dry” on funding amid the government shutdown.

SNAP provides government subsidies to help families buy groceries. When the benefits pause begins, the government will temporarily stop providing these funds.

Sharon Sadlon, administrator of the King of Kings Food Pantry at the King of Kings Lutheran Church on Dreamwood Drive, said the government shutdown has increased the number of people turning to nonprofits and church pantries for assistance.

“We already

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