Shutdown threatens food assistance programs

DAVENPORT — With the federal government shutdown, local stores and food banks are preparing for increased demand as thousands of Washington residents risk losing access to food benefits by Nov. 1.

The state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced that it “will not be able to issue food benefits after Friday, Oct. 31, if federal funding is not restored.”

The lapse could halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as food stamps, which many families rely on to buy groceries.

Aaron Jimenez, 39, store manager of Safeway in Davenport, said his...