Congress remains closed amid the dispute between Democrats and Republicans in Washington D.C. over health care benefits.

Due to the closure, SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Program, came close to closing, but the federal government announced Monday it would release some of the SNAP funds, about half the usual amount.

SNAP provides nearly 42 million low- and no-income Americans with federal money to buy groceries.

As the government shutdown dragged into its second month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture wrote on its website that “the well has run dry”and no benefits would be issued on Nov. 1. This is the first time SNAP funding has come to a halt since the program began in 1964.

The Trump administration announced on Nov. 3 through a court filing, however, that it would allocate money to send out partial payments to SNAP participants, covering “50% of eligible households’ current allotments.”

Two federal judges ruled the Department of Agriculture must cover food stamps during the government shutdown.

There are a few resources for food in this area. If anyone knows of any church or other organization that provides supplemental food, please contact the Indian Journal or the McIntosh County Democrat at Jerry@cookson.news and we will add them to a list.

Below are a few places to find food: – Under One Roof, 107 McKinley, Eufaula – Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma food distribution at St. Paul’s Catholic Church the second Friday of each month from 10 a.m. until the food is gone. Arrive early, the line is long.

– Friendship Kitchen at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 251 Matthews Lane, Eufaula. Meals are served every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

– Eufaula United Methodist Church as a food pantry Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The pantry is in need of nonperishable food donations. Drop off food at Nichols Market; Sonny’s Grocery; Bank of Eufaula; Farmers State Bank; and Legacy on Main Street.