Communities across Western North Carolina are preparing for a lapse in federal food benefits this weekend — a disruption expected to hit hardest in areas still recovering from Helene’s flooding and infrastructure damage.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps more than 1.42 million North Carolinians buy groceries each month. But with the government shutdown continuing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed states to halt November payments until Congress approves new funding.
That means starting Nov. 1, families who rely on SNAP may not receive their monthly benefits — leaving local agencies working to fill the gap…