As the central Ohio community prepares for the potential loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits Nov. 1, The Columbus Foundation announced a $500,000 investment into 21 food banks across the region.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. A halt to SNAP benefits would leave a gaping hole in the country’s safety net. Vulnerable families could see federal money dry up soon for some other programs, as well.

The state health department is warning residents of potential delays in SNAP and WIC benefits in November because of the ongoing government shutdown.

"It's time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay -- today," American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a statement. The statement was first shared with NBC News.

Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency funding will go to Minnesota food shelves as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans.

The federal government shutdown continues as states scramble to fund food assistance programs for millions of Americans.

The building strain on lawmakers to end the impasse was magnified by the nation’s largest federal employee union, which called on Congress to pass a funding bill and ensure workers receive full pay.

Millions of Americans will be without their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits in November because of the government shutdown.