WASHINGTON —

The government shutdown is causing concern across the country as SNAP benefits are set to stop this weekend, affecting millions of Americans who rely on the program for food assistance.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, "On Saturday, this gets very real. SNAP benefits will stop flowing to all those who need it."

The USDA has warned that SNAP, which supports 1 in 8 Americans, will "run dry" if the shutdown extends into November, leading food assistance organizations to prepare for a surge in demand.

Across the country, nonprofits are gearing up for the potential SNAP shutoff. One organization, which operates food pantries inside local schools, reported receiving calls from two to three new schools daily, anticipating the end of SNAP benefits.

Lucie Leblois from the DC Food

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