The USDA announced on Monday that SNAP benefits will end on November 1st. The USDA cited the ongoing federal shutdown as being the cause behind the end of SNAP benefits. This change will affect the nearly 42 million Americans and 3.

The Agriculture Department said it can't use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits, contradicting earlier guidance that the money was available.

The allocation of emergency funding is intended to help more than 440,000 Minnesotans who will go without federal and state nutrition assistance in November due to the shutdown.

With the government shutdown threatening SNAP in November, Austin-area food banks, pantries and drive-thru sites are helping families keep groceries on the table.

Families who rely on federal food assistance are searching for ways to put meals on the table as Nov. 1 approaches, when the federal government said recipients will go without benefits following the shutdown.