As the federal government shutdown stretches into November, the Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve an emergency ordinance providing one-time food assistance to residents who have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Under the measure, eligible individuals can receive up to $100 and families up to $200 in city-funded grocery assistance during November.

“This is an item of permanent operation,” the motion read, indicating the city could extend the program if the federal shutdown drags on.

City officials said roughly 23,000 to 24,000 Birmingham residents, nearly one in four households, receive SNAP benefits and stand to lose them as the federal government remains at an impasse over funding.

Woodfin’s plan, first announced late last week, divides the city’

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