CONCORD, N.H. —

With just four days before the state exhausts its food assistance funds due to the federal government shutdown, New Hampshire's contingency plan to backstop those benefits is moving forward.

The Trump Administration has said it will not use money in a contingency fund to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, even though Democrats say the fund was approved earlier this year to keep payments flowing in case of a government shutdown.

With time and money running out for SNAP, state lawmakers are advancing a contingency plan to spend $2 million to help communities through the New Hampshire Food Bank's mobile pantry program.

"This is a band-aid," said Lori Weaver, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. "Obviously, we're hopeful th

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