Burke County public information officer Chris White said in a recorded message that November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the county will not be delivered until the federal government reopens, after Burke County was notified during a statewide call with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

"More than 13,000 Burke County residents depend on this nutritional support," White said.

White said the county is working "closely with local food banks across the County to help as much as we can." He said the names of those food banks are listed in the video and "will also be shared online and through social media." He asked residents to "check with your local food bank before going as your hours may vary."

The recorded message thanked volunteers and local institutions helping to respond to the interruption. White said, "We stand alongside them, and we too hope that the gap in benefits will be small."

The county did not specify in the message a list of participating food banks, pickup locations, or an exact timeline for resumed benefit deliveries; White said those details would be posted online and via social media. The message framed the delay as a result of the federal government shutdown and the county's receipt of confirmation during the statewide call with the USDA and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Residents who rely on SNAP should monitor Burke County's official channels for the posted list of food banks and their hours.