CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Starting Saturday, SNAP benefits have been suspended due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, affecting millions of families across the United States.

The federal government shutdown has now lasted 32 days, delaying funding for many operations, including SNAP benefits that over 42 million Americans rely on for groceries.

Nia Rennix, founder and CEO of Hunger Dash, emphasized that food insecurity affects both low-income and working-class families, stating, "A lot of people think that food insecurity only affects folks who don't have a job or anything like that."

On Friday, federal judges ordered the USDA to use contingency funds to pay at least partial SNAP benefits "as soon as possible" before the benefits were set to expire for families on November 1st.

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