As the government shutdown nears its fifth week, a harrowing date approaches for the millions of low-income Americans who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Starting Nov. 1, these SNAP benefits usually distributed at the start of the month will be delayed — with no indication of timeframe or whether back payments will be issued. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “the well has run dry.”

Hundreds of thousands of people in the Bay Area rely on CalFresh, the state’s version of SNAP, which is now directing people to seek out food banks in their area. For families, this delay in benefits can mean making impossible decisions between rent, medicine and food. • Jump straight to: The Bay Area restaurants offering free meals to families using

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