Food banks across the country brace for a surge as the shutdown enters a second month and the Trump administration warns Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will end November 1, threatening aid for 42 million people. Two federal judges temporarily blocked the cutoff, but appeals could follow. Organizations from Los Angeles to New York say they cannot meet SNAP’s scale—New York City receives 95 million meals monthly. States and cities are scrambling with emergency funds and moratoriums, while unpaid federal workers and families describe mounting strain. Critics argue the agriculture department could keep payments flowing but chose not to.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.