ATLANTA — Calls have begun to rise from some lawmakers and plans are being made to step in and fill gaps as SNAP recipients are days away from missing their first payments as the government shutdown continues.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts on Wednesday announced an emergency $700,000-$1 million plan to steer money to groups that distribute food in the county, Georgia's largest. And state Democrats are calling on Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to use some of the state's $14+ billion budget surplus to aid food banks, pantries, and food distribution groups.

Pitts, in a press conference Wednesday, unveiled an emergency plan in which he is asking the city manager to come up with $700,000 to provide across three main sources to fill food gaps. He says he would like up

See Full Page