Continued shutdown could starve millions

CNN -Millions of low-income Americans could have a harder time affording food if the partial government shutdown continues into February. Funding for food stamps, school lunches and nutrition for pregnant women and young children is expected to run out next month if the impasse isn't resolved, experts say. The largest benefit at risk is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the formal name for food stamps. Nearly 38.6 million Americans depended on this aid to augment their grocery budgets in September, according to the US Department of Agriculture's latest data. The agency said last month that the program is funded through January, but it has only $3 billion in reserves to cover February. That's less than two-thirds of food stamps' $4.8 billion cost in September.