MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- Alabama Senate Democrats sent a letter to Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday asking for her to call a special session.

The SNAP food assistance program is set to shut down Saturday. Until the federal government reopens, some leaders said the state can help provide those food benefits.

"The food bank is certainly treating this almost as a disaster," said Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

Williams said the disaster of a government shutdown is causing a massive strain. With the holidays coming up and people possibly going without food assistance, she said her food bank will have to stretch to meet the needs of families.

“We are working to make sure people know where to find food and access it near where they live," Williams said.

That’s w

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