CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are going without SNAP payments.

As an expansion of the Linn County Veterans Services Offices’ food programs, veterans can get up to 50% of their usual SNAP payments in gift cards. Those gift cards are not able to buy alcohol, tobacco or lottery tickets. The hope is to connect veterans with even more resources.

“We could provide 50% of their SNAP benefits with the expectation that the other 50% is covered or provided with local resources: whether it’s food pantries, food banks or food systems already in place in the in the community,” Service Director Justin Peterson said.

Peterson says the government shutdown hasn’t really affected his office or operations; but, as a veteran himself, he knows how im

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