The government shutdown appears likely to continue into the week leading up to Nov. 1. Here's why that's a key date.

Experts warned that Americans face a "tough time" as food banks are unlikely to be able to meet the incoming demand.

Agriculture Department officials said Friday they cannot use a contingency fund to continue paying the SNAP program, despite earlier shutdown guidance allowing its use.

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York was facing soaring demand before the shutdown. Cuts to food stamps could push it to the limit.

Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) on Friday introduced a bill to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the government shutdown threatens payments of the food

More than 140,000 people across Erie County could lose access to food assistance if the federal government shutdown continues past the end of October, local officials warned Friday.

If November begins and SNAP payments don't arrive, residents can seek relief at their local food banks, which they can identify through the state's 211 system. Connecticut Foodshare, which operates pantries across the state, has secured additional funding and additional food in preparation for the coming spike in demand, Jakubowski said.

The federal government shutdown is nearing the four-week mark, with lawmakers seemingly no closer to a deal. Friday came without a paycheck for many impacted D.C. federal workers.