The government shutdown is causing concern among Pine Hills store owners as 42 million Americans will not receive their monthly SNAP benefits, impacting businesses that rely on these payments.People who use SNAP benefits will still be able to access the funds on their cards, but with the government shutdown, 42 million Americans will not be seeing their monthly payments for food assistance. This situation is causing concern among local store owners like Angel Pimenter, who owns Maturo Fish Market in Pine Hills.”Right now, economy is very bad. People don’t got no money,” Pimenter said.He expressed fear for his business and the community, estimating that around 40% of his customers pay with EBT cards.”I feel afraid,” Pimenter said. “Afraid for the business, for my business, and also for the people, because they won’t have enough money to eat.”Across the street at Caribbean Supercenter, similar concerns are echoed, along with hope that a solution will be worked out soon, before Nov. 1.”Hopeful it don’t happen that way,” said Abdul Alim, assistant manager at the store, which sells international foods including West Indian or Middle Eastern.”It will be a great effect on our store because most of our customers, like 50, 60 percent, pay with SNAP benefits, EBT. So that will be a great hit on our store,” Alim said.Shopper Deanna Diaz, who received SNAP benefits until this year but no longer qualifies, also hopes a deal will be worked out.”I understand the hurdles of what people are going to go through if these types of programs are taken away,” Diaz said. “I think something needs to be done immediately so that these people aren’t affected.” Diaz emphasized the importance of SNAP benefits for the community and those who are less fortunate.”It’s a need. It’s a need for the community, it’s a need for those who are less fortunate, and I feel for them because I’ve had situations where if I didn’t have it, I would go without, and it’s unfortunate people will go without,” Diaz said.Florida is warning residents to be aware that benefits will not be issued until federal funding is restored. Second Harvest Food Bank works with hundreds of partner agencies to provide food to families in Central Florida. You can find the closest food bank to you or donate by clicking here.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

The government shutdown is causing concern among Pine Hills store owners as 42 million Americans will not receive their monthly SNAP benefits, impacting businesses that rely on these payments.

People who use SNAP benefits will still be able to access the funds on their cards, but with the government shutdown, 42 million Americans will not be seeing their monthly payments for food assistance. This situation is causing concern among local store owners like Angel Pimenter, who owns Maturo Fish Market in Pine Hills.

“Right now, economy is very bad. People don’t got no money,” Pimenter said.

He expressed fear for his business and the community, estimating that around 40% of his customers pay with EBT cards.

“I feel afraid,” Pimenter said. “Afraid for the business, for my business, and also for the people, because they won’t have enough money to eat.”

Across the street at Caribbean Supercenter, similar concerns are echoed, along with hope that a solution will be worked out soon, before Nov. 1.

“Hopeful it don’t happen that way,” said Abdul Alim, assistant manager at the store, which sells international foods including West Indian or Middle Eastern.

“It will be a great effect on our store because most of our customers, like 50, 60 percent, pay with SNAP benefits, EBT. So that will be a great hit on our store,” Alim said.

Shopper Deanna Diaz, who received SNAP benefits until this year but no longer qualifies, also hopes a deal will be worked out.

“I understand the hurdles of what people are going to go through if these types of programs are taken away,” Diaz said. “I think something needs to be done immediately so that these people aren’t affected.”

Diaz emphasized the importance of SNAP benefits for the community and those who are less fortunate.

“It’s a need. It’s a need for the community, it’s a need for those who are less fortunate, and I feel for them because I’ve had situations where if I didn’t have it, I would go without, and it’s unfortunate people will go without,” Diaz said.

Florida is warning residents to be aware that benefits will not be issued until federal funding is restored. Second Harvest Food Bank works with hundreds of partner agencies to provide food to families in Central Florida. You can find the closest food bank to you or donate by clicking here.