As we approach one full month of the federal government shutdown, the Houston Food Bank is planning distribution sites to help those who are impacted.

The Houston Food Bank, along with other anti-hunger organizations, prepares for the surge in demand they expect will come with the end of SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown.

This new facility is set to triple the number of meals provided to Houston's children in need, expanding from 10,000 to a potential 26,000 meals a day by 2031.

With what’s going on, I felt like the community should pick up where the government left off,” Petit Beignets & Tapioca co-owner Nhan Ngo said.

As many as 500 employees of the federal government came to a food distribution event hosted by the Houston Food Bank. They haven’t received a paycheck in weeks — and many are working without pay.

Starting on Nov. 1, the food bank will launch several food distribution sites across Houston, providing food to 15,000 federal workers and SNAP recipients each week. The distributions will include protein,

The Houston Food Bank is stepping up distribution as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits dry up and federal workers continue to go without pay. Why it matters: The federal government shutdown will stop food aid Saturday for nearly 42 million Americans.

SNAP benefits won't be funded in the month of November as long as the federal government shutdown continues. FOX 26's Tan Radford looked into questions that viewers have sent to the newsroom.

With SNAP benefits delayed and government workers going without pay, some Houston-area restaurants are offering a safety net. Local businesses are handing out free kids’ meals and relief deals for furloughed federal workers until financial support returns.