Community Action Services and Food Bank is preparing for a rise in community need following the loss of SNAP benefits.

Utah SNAP benefits halted amid federal shutdown, affecting 86,000 households as community pantries see increased use.

Gov. Spencer Cox said the state's "rainy day" fund has surpassed $1.5 billion for the year.According to the governor, this is the first time the state's savings

Thousands of Utahns will soon feel the effects of the shutdown when SNAP benefits end next month, leading to local food pantries anticipating additional stress that will be put on their operations.

More than 80,000 Utah households will lose access to food assistance next month because of the federal government shutdown, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

When food benefits run out next month, Rose Wakeham is worried about losing access to more than the fresh vegetables they love to cook. “I might have to quit school and get a different job,” said Wakeham,

SNAP, also known as food stamps, is fully funded by the federal government and helps about 86,000 Utah households buy food each month, the state said. With the continual government shutdown, that aid will cease.

After receiving a nearly $500,000 grant, a UT Extension program is expanding this month. Skill Up Tennessee is aimed at helping adults who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment.

The USDA has stated that November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been paused nationwide until further notice.