More than 200 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter Friday to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging her to use the contingency fund to continue the program.

Millions of low-income Americans could lose access to food nutrition supplements, or SNAP, benefits on Nov. 1 if members of Congress do not end the shutdown. The US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service recently put states on notice nationwide that these benefits may not come through.

Experts warned that Americans face a "tough time" as food banks are unlikely to be able to meet the incoming demand.

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York was facing soaring demand before the shutdown. Cuts to food stamps could push it to the limit.

“Nearly 3.5 million people in Texas alone rely on monthly SNAP benefits,” said Wilson. SMU Professor Dr. Doric Earle is co-founder of Restorative Farms, an urban farming network fighting food insecurity. With SNAP benefits up in the air, they have to adjust their outreach.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services warns Iowans who use SNAP may not get benefits in November because of the government shutdown.