Governor Mike DeWine says Ohio will step in with $25 million in emergency aid to help families who could lose federal food benefits if the government shutdown continues into November.

The state’s plan includes $7 million for regional food banks and up to $18 million in relief for about 63,000 Ohio Works First recipients. Cleveland.com reports more than 1.4 million Ohioans rely on SNAP, which distributes roughly $263 million each month in grocery assistance.

DeWine said the move is meant to provide short-term help, stressing a federal solution is still needed.

The announcement comes as local communities prepare their own responses. Summit County approved $250,000 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, and the Giant Eagle Foundation has pledged $1 million to support food banks in multiple states.

Democratic lawmakers have called for a larger response, urging the governor to release $100 million from the state’s rainy-day fund to further support struggling families.

If the shutdown continues, November SNAP payments, normally distributed between Nov. 2 and Nov. 20, could be delayed or stopped entirely.

(Source: Information from Cleveland.com and state officials)