RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin gave an update Tuesday afternoon on efforts to provide hunger relief for Virginians as the ongoing federal government shutdown threatens the release of November SNAP benefits.

Youngkin explained that since the state isn't able to fund directly into the SNAP program, his administration has created a parallel food assistance program, Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA), which has never been done before.

If the federal government shutdown has not ended by Nov. 1, VENA will begin on Nov. 3. Those who receive SNAP benefits will receive the state funds directly to their EBT cards.

One important change to note for SNAP beneficiaries is that VENA will be funded on a weekly basis rather than once a month.

"We will be doing it every week for as long

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