SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

The Missouri Department of Social Services said it was awaiting further instruction about distributing SNAP benefits, as the USDA appeals a court decision requiring it to fully fund the program during the shutdown.

In failing to fully fund the food assistance program that covers 42 million low-income Americans, the judge said the government "failed to consider the harms" to people who rely on the benefits. Kansas City-area food banks and nonprofits were struggling to meet demand.

The federal government remains shut down, in what is now the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Around the Kansas City region, nonprofits, food banks and private businesses are stepping up to help feed families.

Tens of thousands of Kansas City residents are faced with the consequences of the longest government shutdown in American history. People who rely on food benefits remain without the funding that helps put food on the table, while the area’s many federal workers are furloughed or continue to work without pay.

Propel makes a free app for people on food stamps. Led by Jimmy Chen, who grew up living with food insecurity in Kansas City, Propel is now giving some of its users $50 each to help offset the government's delayed SNAP payments.

Many Kansas City families are worried about their next meal. The government shutdown has left thousands of federal workers in the metro without a paycheck. At the same time, SNAP benefits have been cut back and delayed. Here’s a list of Kansas City-area pantries and kitchens who are meeting the demand.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she will hold food drives on her statewide budget listening tour, while Missouri is transferring funding to provide meals to seniors.

About 1 in 8 U.S. residents get an average of $187 a month per person in the food assistance known as SNAP. For the first time, the Trump administration stopped the payments due at the beginning of the month.

Kelly, a Democrat, said that she has repeatedly asked the Republican attorney general to sue on behalf of Kansas but he has refused. Meanwhile, Kris Kobach argues that he is in charge of the state's prosecution or defense.

Despite the federal government shutdown, Missourians on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children will be able to redeem their benefits during the month of November. But state officials are unsure how long these benefits will remain available.

Missouri is transferring over $10 million in funding to feed seniors and $5 million to go to food banks. Federal food benefits won't be distributed in November due to the government shutdown.

For some grocery stores in the urban core, up to 60% of their business comes from shoppers using federal food benefits. A SNAP shutdown just before Thanksgiving and Christmas could be particularly bad for businesses.