QUINCY (WGEM) - After widespread concern and panic, a partial payment of SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, will be sent out this month despite the ongoing government shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be distributing roughly half of a normal month’s payments using more than $4.65 billion in contingency funds.

This comes after a federal judge ordered the USDA to release those funds on Friday, Oct. 31.

Demand at food pantries in the Tri-States continued to increase ahead of the feared lapse in SNAP benefits on Nov. 1. While the announcement is welcome, those pantries are still facing a growing food insecurity crisis.

“Is it going to help? Absolutely. It absolutely is going to help. Is it going to alleviate the full need? No. Because we’ve seen people tha

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