As the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces a November 1 cutoff amid the ongoing government shutdown, leaders in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are stepping up to help low-income families who rely on the aid to put food on the table.

Virginia is launching an emergency program to ensure families don’t go hungry when federal SNAP benefits pause due to the government shutdown, becoming the first state in the nation to use state funds for food assistance benefits.

Federal food aid is on the line as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is poised to run out of money on Saturday amid the ongoing government shutdown. A federal judge on Friday

Youngkin said the plan will be paid for through the commonwealth’s budget surplus, which administration officials credit to “strong fiscal management.” He also authorized $1 million in state funds for Virginia food banks to help offset shortages and make sure families can find food locally if needed.

Some 42 million people in the U.S. who rely on SNAP benefits could soon join the already long lines at the nation's food banks and pantries that are also serving struggling federal workers.

Food banks across Chatham County are preparing to support thousands of residents who may lose access to SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown.

With the Senate adjourned until Monday, the shutdown will stretch into at least day 34. Secret Service finds 17 'skimming' devices in tour of San Antonio businesses If You See a Purple Parking Space,

Update: On Friday, two judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the federal government shutdown. This means no new (SNAP) funds will be added to the EBT debit cards that 40 million Americans and approximately half a million Philadelphians use to pay for groceries.