WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Millions of Americans depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In Kansas, 188,000 people rely on the benefits.

But as the government shutdown enters its second month, those benefits could run out.

Tuesday is when benefits cards were set to be processed, in time for distribution next Saturday.

But the shutdown means those benefits are on hold indefinitely, and it's causing some to rethink where they can find food assistance.

Food banks in and around Wichita are either seeing a surge already or expecting one in the coming weeks.

"I've had people say, 'I've never had to do this before,'" said Linda Hooten, volunteer with Simple House Food Pantry. "And never having had to do it, I can imagine how I'd feel."

Simple House is a home in Delano retrofit

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