Chantille Manuel recognizes how far shes come as she settles into her new small business in Venice.

I just opened Oct. 1, so I just graduated school in January, said Manuel. I have five years in recovery, and at one point, I just never thought that that would happen.

But as the calendar flipped to November, millions of Americans like Manuel faced a new challenge: the uncertainty of SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

To take what little bit of help that I have, it just makes it so much harder, she said.

Manuel explained just how crucial those benefits are not just month to month, but day to day.

Right now, Im homeless and trying to get this business up and off the ground because I have to make choices of where to put money, said Manuel.

Over in Sarasota, All Faiths Food Ban

See Full Page