St. Louis community trying to help those in need as federal shutdown leaves workers without pay, threatens food assistance for millions

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Some federal workers missed their payday Tuesday as the government shutdown continues, leaving them without income.

Data from the Bipartisan Policy Center put the cumulative missing paychecks at 2.1 million for civilian and military members on the federal payroll as of Tuesday, Oct. 28.

There appears to be no end in sight, as the shutdown nears one month.

Millions of families face the loss of food assistance benefits starting Saturday. The shutdown threatens to suspend SNAP benefits for 650,000 people in Missouri and two million in Illinois, prompting local businesses and organizations to step up relief efforts.

It has some in the St. Louis community working to address the growing impact and need people are facing.

At La Tejana restaurant in Bridgeton,