Federal funding for a critical food assistance program, used by 42 million Americans, including nearly 3 million New Yorkers, is set to run dry as the U.S. government shutdown stretches on.

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, will expire on Saturday, creating a massive hole in the nutrition safety net for the most vulnerable Americans.

With Democrats and Republicans seemingly unwilling to budge from their position on ending the shutdown, here's what Long Islanders should know about the impending deadline and what efforts are underway to assist those most in need.

What is SNAP and why is the program's funding in jeopardy?

SNAP benefits help about 1 in 8 Americans purchase groceries using debit cards funded each month by the federal g

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