Today, around one in eight Americans receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits each month based on income, according to the Department of Agriculture. In the event of non-payment, states have invited recipients to make use of food banks, which could be swiftly overwhelmed by the demand.

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could lapse within days if the government shutdown persists.

Local food banks and pantries across the country are seeing increases in need due to layoffs and government workers being furloughed during the shutdown.