SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) - It has been 22 days since the government shutdown, and many are wondering what’s going to happen with federal assistance.

Several organizations are working to provide assistance as the government shutdown continues, and more people are expected to be affected.

“We want to make sure that we’re ready if the government doesn’t go back to work before November, the first,” said Feeding Southwest Virginia CEO Pamela Irvine.

Irvine said 177,000 people in Southwest Virginia receive SNAP benefits and if the government continues to be shutdown, families may struggle to put food on the table.

She said if recipients don’t receive their benefits, it will have a domino effect on the food bank, which is already in great need of food supply.

“SNAP is the first line of defense for

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