Nearly half of Cuyahoga County’s SNAP recipients will miss their monthly benefits by next week if the shutdown continues — leaving cupboards bare and food banks bracing for a surge in need.

As the government shutdown reaches the one-month mark, the country is about to hit two milestones that are set to make it feel all too real for many Americans. On Saturday, Nov. 1, food stamp benefits will dry up just as open enrollment begins for those purchasing health insurance for the next year, complete with steep, double-digit rate hikes .

Food banks and pantries are taking food and monetary donations amid the looming pause in SNAP benefits because of the federal government shutdown.

The loss of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will have detrimental effects on households of color who were already dealing with ongoing systemic barriers.

Democrats have repeatedly voted against reopening the government as they demand that Republicans negotiate with them to extend expiring health care subsidies. But they pushed for expedited approval of legislation to continue funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,