Americans face a "tough time" as food banks are unlikely to be able to meet the demand amid the government shutdown.

About 42 million people receive money through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, sometimes called food stamps. The U.S. Agriculture Department told states in an Oct. 10 letter that if the shutdown continues, the program will run out of money to pay for benefits in November.

Ohio food banks say they cannot make up the $263 million monthly shortfall if federal nutrition assistance programs go unfunded in November. The government shutdown has jeopardized SNAP benefits for more than 1 million Ohioans for next month.

More than 140,000 people across Erie County could lose access to food assistance if the federal government shutdown continues past the end of October, local officials warned Friday.

Middle Tennessee families could lose SNAP benefits as federal funding remains uncertain leaving Tennesseans worried about feeding their families

More than 200 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter Friday to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging her to use the contingency fund to continue the program.

An "emergency food plan" is emerging, according to U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, as a state official says NM is "evaluating the USDA's ever-changing guidance."

Reacting to concern over the potential loss of SNAP benefits, the ELISHA Project will distribute food, hygiene products and household goods Oct. 25.