TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - Thousands of Florida families face empty classrooms and reduced food assistance next week if the federal government shutdown continues.

Head Start programs across north Florida will shut down until Congress restores funding, leaving low-income families without critical early childhood education services. Nearly 3 million Florida families also face delays in receiving SNAP food assistance benefits scheduled for November 1.

“November is going to be a tough month,” said Cindy Huddleston, Florida Policy Institute senior policy analyst.

The federal government shut down on October 1 after Congress failed to pass a funding plan, straining programs people rely on.

Darryl James, Head Start director at Capital Area Community Action Agency in

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