SANTA FE, N.M. —

Nearly three weeks into the government shutdown, SNAP benefits could be delayed or cut by next month, prompting a Santa Fe food bank to prepare for increased demand.

The Food Depot in Santa Fe serves approximately 43,000 people across nine counties, and while the shelves are currently full, there is uncertainty about how long this will last.

"We are ready to be called on in this difficult time," said Jill Dickson, the Food Depot executive director. "We are ready to provide what we can and hold the line to make sure people don't go hungry."

Thousands of people will need to refill their SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, but it is not guaranteed that those benefits will be refilled, as the federal government may choose to delay or cut SNAP.

"There are food-insecure people in our

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