Gov. Pritzker signs order supporting Illinois residents who rely on SNAP benefits

CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker is set to sign that executive order Thursday supporting people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in the state just days before the program is set to run out of money.

Nearly two million people in Illinois use SNAP benefits.

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Amid the government shutdown, food banks are under pressure and stretched thin.

With the governor signing the executive order, $20 million in state funds will be directed to help food banks.

SEE ALSO: Chicago-area food pantries worry they can’t meet need after SNAP benefits end

Illinois is also one of several states that have sued to save SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

The governor spoke earlier this week about how much it would cost Illinois to try and fund SNAP at the state level.

“It would cost us, if we were able to try do it, it would cost about $350 million, more than that, rather, to fill in the gap per-month, $350 million from the state,” Governor Pritzker said. “That’s not something a state can possibly fill in.”

RELATED: Illinois among 25 states to sue Trump admin. to keep SNAP funds flowing amid government shutdown

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump hinted at a plan to potentially fund SNAP saying – “We’re going to get it done” – without providing any specific details on a path forward for the program during the shutdown.

If the government shutdown continues, people who rely on SNAP will lose their benefits beginning this Saturday, November 1.

A west suburban grocery store, Living Fresh Market, is among many businesses across the country worried about the possible loss of those SNAP dollars and the economic and human toll it could take on communities.

Derrick Waller of Forest Park says he’ll make due if starting on Saturday SNAP funds run out, but fears for others who rely on that federal food assistance.

“It’s kids out here hungry as well, too, that’s depending on their food, and especially on the holidays,” Waller said. “Why would you do it on the holidays?”

At Living Fresh Market in Forest Park, about one-third of the revenue comes from customers who use SNAP.

“This will impact grocery stores around the country, not just me,” Living Fresh Market Sr. Executive Melody Winston said. “I talk to some of my colleagues who own stores in Lincoln Park, and it’s the same thing. It’s about a third.”

Winston says the impact on jobs and communities could be devastating.

“I would have never thought that we would have been in this situation where we would be struggling to figure out how we’re going to get food on our table in the United States of America,” Winston said.

Ahead of this weekend, area food banks and pantries were inundated with many fearing the loss of those benefits.

“I don’t even have a word for it right now. It’s just, it’s insanity,” SNAP recipient Ardis Garrett said.

At Living Fresh Market, they’re working to organize a donation drive to stock the local food pantry and recruiting some of their vendors to help with that effort.