RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The US Department of Agriculture announced there will be no new SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits issued on November 1st as a result of the government shutdown.

"This shutdown is putting strain on our communities. It's not just a Washington problem. It's a North Carolina story," said Abby Emanuelson, the Executive Director of NC Alliance for Health.

According to NCDHHS , more than 1.4 million North Carolinians rely on SNAP, including more than 580,000 children.

"It makes me really sad because you got all these children that had nothing to do with the choices of the adults in their lives. They're the ones that are going to suffer the most," said Julie Rappleyea, a Durham grandmother who relies on SNAP.

She cares for her two grandchild

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