The federal government shutdown continues, now extending longer than a month. The shutdown, which started Oct. 1, affects programs requiring federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture previously announced it would not issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits Nov. 1.

“The well has run dry,” the Oct. 30 announcement said.

However, it was announced Nov. 3 the program will be partially funded, in response to judicial rulings that required the administration to keep the program running. It was reported the funds will come from a USDA contingency fund, and recipients can expect half the amount they usually receive. The specific details of when the benefits will be available remain unclear.

As there will still be an interruption and reduction of benefits for families, there are a number of food banks in the area to help families and residents in need of additional support.

WHITEHALL FOOD PANTRY

• Located in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3900 Mechanicsville Road, Whitehall

• 484-246-5715

• Open 6-8 p.m. Mondays by appointment. Proof of residency is required.

• The food bank is also looking for food and monetary donations.

COPLAY RECREATION AND WELFARE ASSOCIATION FOOD BANK

• Located on the lower level of the borough municipal building, 98 S. Fourth St., Coplay

• 610-262-0928

• Distributions are held 8:30-10 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month.

WHITEHALL-COPLAY HUNGER INITIATIVE FOOD PANTRY

• Located in the former Christ the King School at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall

• 610-442-1355

• whitehallcoplayhunger@gmail.com

• Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. the second and third Thursdays, by appointment only. Proof of Whitehall Township or Coplay Borough residency is required.

• WCHI is currently looking for cereal, canned fruit, gravy, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup, pasta or rice boxes or pouches, peanut butter, potatoes, sweet potatoes, ready-to-eat items, bags of rice, soup, spaghetti sauce in plastic jars or cans, tuna, baby and adult diapers, feminine products and dog and cat food. Monetary donations are always accepted.

Donations can be dropped off to WCHI at Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Refrigerated, frozen, perishable or homemade items will not be accepted for food safety reasons.

CATASAUQUA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

• 527 Front St., Catasauqua

• 610-254-8366

• Open 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Proof of residency is required.

• The food bank is always in need of cereal, pasta, shelf-stable milk, soup and crackers. There is currently a special need for holiday food stuffs.

NORTHAMPTON AREA FOOD BANK

• 1601 Canal St., Northampton

• 610-262-8030

• info@northamptonareafoodbank.org

• Open 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays; 5-7 p.m. the first, second and third Thursdays; and 9-11:30 a.m. the second and third Saturdays. See the food bank’s Facebook page — Home of the Northampton Area Food Bank — for distribution dates and more information.

• The food bank is looking for donations of Thanksgiving items such as turkeys, canned yams, stuffing mix, turkey gravy, canned pumpkin pie mix, canned cranberry sauce, green bean casserole ingredients, etc.

BATH AREA FOOD BANK

• 206 E. Main St., Bath

• 484-597-2105

• Open 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month.

Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, has a “food finder” to help connect residents with food pantries or banks near them. Visit shfblv.org/find-food.

With the holiday season approaching, many food banks are especially in need of additional food items. If you are able, consider sharing your food or monetary donations with any of these food banks.

Residents in need of additional support should reach out to these food banks and allow the community to help. As Shari Noctor, WCHI president, always says, “No one should ever go hungry.”