The shutdown brought the scale of the federal food aid program into focus and raised questions about how such a rich country could have so many people on nutrition assistance.

Tennessee officials will begin distributing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, giving recipients 65% of their expected November payment. The Tennessee Department of Human Services said in a news release that SNAP recipients who were expected to receive their payment during the first 12 days of November would receive that partial payment Wednesday.

With Congress on the brink of a deal to end the government shutdown​, the Supreme Court has agreed to keep in place a brief pause on SNAP benefit payments.

A former director of the U.N. World Food Program said the cutoff of SNAP benefits had immediate impacts on grocers and convenience stores of all sizes.

The food pantry at Brashear High School is open once a week, and each student gets about five minutes to shop. Any snacks they don't take often go to teachers, to offer to hungry pupils.

Trump administration lawyers have warned that SNAP funding could be delayed in Democratic-led states that have requested full benefits.

A deal in Congress to end the government shutdown includes full SNAP funding through September and could mean the Supreme Court will not have to issue a ruling later.

Partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are going out to recipients, the Tennessee Department of Human Services said. Recipients who usually receive the benefits, known as SNAP, between the 1st and 12th of the month will get them Wednesday,

The Senate passed legislation to reopen the government after eight senators in the Democratic caucus broke with the party and supplied critical backing. The measure now heads to the House.