Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has directed $2.2 million per week be sent to state food banks, helping them prepare for a potential surge in demand following the suspension of Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits next month.

More than 900,000 Washington residents are not expected to receive SNAP benefits in November, amid the ongoing government shutdown. That includes roughly 41,000 households in Washington’s Sixth Congressional District, which covers the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, Gig Harbor and part of Tacoma.

In absence of SNAP, a program also referred to as food stamps that helps low-income families afford groceries, many are expected to turn to food banks to meet their needs. It is another way the month-old shutdown has compounded the already skyrocketing demand

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