KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - November SNAP benefits are facing uncertainty because of the government shutdown, leaving local organizations preparing for increased demand for food assistance.

“Well, you can only imagine if you can’t meet your basic needs, how do you focus on other things like jobs,” Tess Frear with Helping Mamas, an organization focused on supplying families with resources, said.

No new SNAP benefits will be added to cards starting Nov. 1, though existing benefits on cards can still be used.

“So, the funds that people are going to be using are going to be to purchase food now” Frear said. “So that’s going to probably affect their rent, their gas, everything.”

WIC maintains emergency funding

WIC , the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, does ha

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