ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - South Georgians who rely on food assistance may not receive their SNAP benefits next month because of the ongoing government shutdown.

The shutdown could leave thousands without the help they depend on to put food on the table — and with Thanksgiving just weeks away, the timing couldn’t be worse.

Local organizations say they’re bracing for an increase in families needing food and other supplies if federal funding isn’t restored soon.

“It’s going to increase the number of people that we initially thought we would be servicing because we definitely see that there will be a greater need and more people needing our services,” Andrea Revills, executive director of New Vision Community Development Center, said. “So, we are prepared, of course, to do what we can to try and help as many people as possible.”

According to Georgia’s Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), more than 12,000 people in Dougherty County rely on SNAP benefits. If the shutdown continues and funds run out next month, that’s roughly $1.5 million in grocery money missing from the local economy.

Community organizations say they’ll continue doing what they can to meet the growing need — but without government assistance, thousands of South Georgia families could face serious challenges heading into the holidays.

In later newscasts, WALB’s Ashanti Drake will have more details.

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