Thousands of veterans across New England could soon lose the food assistance they rely on .

The shutdown of the federal government is putting SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, on hold for millions — including those who once fought for our country.

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program serves 42 million Americans. Among them are 1.2 million veterans and 22,000 active-duty military families .

"I can't afford food, with the prices of rent and the food itself, so it helps me get by — still not enough," one veteran, named Mark, told NBC10 Boston. Here's what SNAP recipients can do to still get $80 a month for fresh produce in Massachusetts, even when the food aid program is suspended during the

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