Kristen Cox has been suffering sleepless nights under a river of tears knowing the federal government shutdown will have a horrible impact on food assistance programs the longer it continues.

Cox founded the nonprofit Long Beach Community Table , which helps thousands of people each week, more than five years ago.

"I hate seeing what this is doing to our community," Cox said through tears. "And I know that it's been going on a lot longer than just this SNAP situation because it isn't the priority, to be completely honest with you."

On Nov. 1, funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP , will run out due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. More than 42 million Americans, including 5 million Californians , will lose access to buying groceries when the f

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