AUSTIN, Texas — As the federal government shutdown drags on, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns it may not have enough money to pay out SNAP benefits next month, a move that could leave millions of families without help to buy groceries.

In Texas, about 3.2 million people rely on SNAP benefits, according to USA Facts — about 10% of the state’s population. Many of them are families with children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

At the Central Texas Food Bank, staff are bracing for what could become a surge in need.

“People who never needed support before are coming to us for the first time,” said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “This is devastating for them.”

As of September, the food bank says more than 127,000 households in its 21-county service area rely on SNAP benefits, including about 87,000 people in Travis County.

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On top of that, Vatske said the food bank is already serving 610,000 food-insecure families and estimates there are 76,000 federal workers in the region now missing paychecks.

“We are currently spending $1.3 million per month, but that is obviously not sustainable,” she said. “It’s incredibly frustrating when you’re dealing with a man-made disaster. It’s very different from when you’re dealing with an ice storm or a pandemic.”

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which administers SNAP, said in a statement to CBS Austin that it is “monitoring how the federal government shutdown may impact benefits” and confirmed November benefits won’t be issued if the shutdown continues past October 27.

“The Central Texas Food Bank cannot possibly make up for a $51 million-a-month deficit that would otherwise go straight to families who could go to grocery stores and purchase food on their own,” Vatske said. “It couldn’t come at a worse time.”

Vatske added, “So in addition to needing support from the community, we do need our government to reopen.”

To get involved or get help from the Central Texas Food Bank, click here.