Funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is frozen. Reduced benefits are expected to restart later this month. In the meantime, area restaurants are stepping up to help. This list will be updated.

Offer for SNAP recipients: Pregnant women and children can head to Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria for a free meal until SNAP and WIC benefits are restored. Kids can choose either fried potato and veggies tacos or quesadillas, plus rice, beans, corn and agua fresca, while expecting mothers can pick up a taco or enchilada meal with agua fresca.

The New Hope Food Pantry Chicago is accepting donations of unexpired and unopened foods. Some items the pantry needs includes cereal, baby food, baby formula, canned tuna, peanut butter and pasta. A full list of accepted donations can be found on the pantry's website.

The government shutdown is pausing federal food aid for millions across the country and several Chicago restaurants are working to help.

LAWNDALE — Chicago pizza chain Lou Malnati’s is partnering with Lawndale Community Church to provide free meals. Through Sunday, November 16, the church will distribute $10 coupons redeemable for a large deep-dish or thin-crust pizza.

Chicago nonprofits are helping SNAP recipients navigate new work requirements and access volunteer opportunities, meals, and other essential services amid federal benefit changes. Confusion Amid SNAP Policy Changes With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits delayed and reduced due to the government shutdown,

From churches to Chicago Animal Care and Control, the local community is coming together in an effort to help those struggling without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the government shutdown.

Food banks and food pantries across Illinois and in the Chicago area need the public's help more than ever as they brace for a massive surge in demand when SNAP benefits lapse Saturday.

The White House plans to fund about half the expected SNAP food assistance this month amid the government shutdown. It’s unclear when those dollars will reach Chicago households.

In the Chicagoland metro area, 12% of households receive SNAP benefits. That's more than 450,000 families. Of those households 42.1% include someone with a disability, 39.5% include an elderly person, and 46.3% have a minor. "I don't let them know that, like, oh, mommy's struggling to put food on the table for you guys," said Kelli Brinnehl.

Charlene Echoles said she and her husband work but now have to make up the difference by visiting pantries after their SNAP benefits were paused.