Two federal judges have ruled the Trump administration must use emergency funds to provide at least partial food stamp benefits as the shutdown continues.

President Trump has asked lawyers to release the money as quickly as possible, but officials warn payments could still be delayed. Roughly 42 million Americans, including 1.4 million Ohioans, rely on SNAP each month. It’s still unclear whether they’ll receive full or partial benefits.

As many families face uncertainty, local groups are stepping up to help. IVL’s 12U travel baseball team from Wadsworth is collecting non-perishable food donations all month at their Wadsworth and Hinckley facilities, while Bucky Cares is gathering easy “meals in a can” like soup, chili, and SpaghettiOs.

The Wadsworth Salvation Army and Feeding Medina County will also hold food drives tomorrow from 3 to 7 p.m.

And to help those impacted by the SNAP cutoff, Akron Metro RTA is offering free bus rides to Ohio Direction Card and SNAP cardholders (and their families) on all Metro Direct routes and ADA service.