The over $1 million in local support for SNAP recipients will go toward Mid-Ohio Food Collective and other organizations providing food support.

The U.S. government pays out $100 billion a year in food assistance to 42 million Americans through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—funds that were set to lapse and may still be delayed or suspended because of the government shutdown.

Amid uncertainty over November SNAP benefits, the Southeast Ohio Foodbank is contending with an influx in demand.

Amid ongoing uncertainty about SNAP during the government shutdown, groups have announced food donation drives and initiatives.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird will hold a news conference on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss efforts to support residents impacted by the pause of the federal government’s food assistance program.

As the controversy over funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown dragged on in recent days, the top official in charge of the program pivoted to a new talking point, calling the program that some 42 million Americans rely on, "corrupt."

Federal judges ruled the Trump administration is required to pay out at least partial food aid to SNAP recipients during the government shutdown.

While SNAP benefits hadn’t been paused yet – which happened Nov. 1 -- the director of the Huntington Food Pantry said that when it opened last Thursday, at least of a third of those seeking food assistance were new.