KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With the federal government shutdown now underway, some Tennessee families are worried about the possibility of losing access to food assistance if federal funding stalls next month.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps more than 690,000 Tennesseans put food on the table. While state officials say benefits have not yet been disrupted, the possibility of a pause in aid has many families on edge.

“Everyone is concerned about this not just our agencies who are our partners, but our clients who are very worried about if this continues,” said Elaine Strano, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. “It just feels like clients feel forgotten about, which is so sad to me. But we are doing our best to prepare for an increase

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