"People really are in desperate need right now," said a mother from Mesa, as the ongoing federal government shutdown threatens to impact WIC benefit payments.

"For many women, this is not optional. They're having to choose now between paying their electric bill or feeding their baby."

"I'm wondering how I'm going to be able to afford everything" if federal food aid is halted, one single mom said.

SNAP has traditionally been entirely federally funded, but is administered by states. That means the shutdown's impact on SNAP and when benefits will start to become unavailable will vary by state. Some states have initiated their own contingency plans, using their own funding in most cases, to keep their SNAPs running.