Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. What is SNAP? SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides benefits to low-income families to help afford food.

The USDA ordered Michigan and other states to halt payment of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits until further notice, starting Nov. 1. The halt comes amid the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill that funds the operations of federal agencies and programs.

Even before SNAP benefits paused, pantries within the Greater Lansing Food Banks network were seeing consistent increases in usage.

Michigan families, food banks and pantries and retailers react to looming pause in food assistance benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

Last week, the shelter had to cancel a mobile pantry distribution due to a lack of food. The shelter partners with the Greater Lansing Food Bank twice a month. It’s a human food distribution, but at the end of the line, Guild’s team is ready to help with pet food needs — and sometimes litter, too.

Michigan House Democrats introduced a five-bill package to mitigate food access issues for residents at risk of losing SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown, while Republicans

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 22 other state attorneys general in sending a letter on Friday to Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins pressing for answers on the lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits,

Five lowest-graded offensive players (with at least 10 snaps): QB Bryce Underwood (47.4), WR Donaven McCulley (47.6), WR Semaj Morgan (52.0), WR Channing Goodwin (57.4), TE Marlin Klein (59.2)