The New Hope Food Pantry Chicago is accepting donations of unexpired and unopened foods. Some items the pantry needs includes cereal, baby food, baby formula, canned tuna, peanut butter and pasta. A full list of accepted donations can be found on the pantry's website.

Funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is frozen. Reduced benefits are expected to restart later this month. In the meantime, area restaurants are stepping up to help. This list will be updated.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urged the U.N. on Friday to investigate the Trump administration's federal immigration crackdown and SNAP cuts.

The government shutdown is pausing federal food aid for millions across the country and several Chicago restaurants are working to help.

LAWNDALE — Chicago pizza chain Lou Malnati’s is partnering with Lawndale Community Church to provide free meals. Through Sunday, November 16, the church will distribute $10 coupons redeemable for a large deep-dish or thin-crust pizza.

One Tail at a Time, an animal rescue and adoption center, will hold two free pet pantries on Friday — one at The Bloc (1345 N. Karlov Ave.) in Humboldt Park at 11:30 a.m. and another at the Pilsen Food Pantry (2124 S. Ashland Ave.) at 1:30 p.m.

From churches to Chicago Animal Care and Control, the local community is coming together in an effort to help those struggling without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the government shutdown.

In the Chicagoland metro area, 12% of households receive SNAP benefits. That's more than 450,000 families. Of those households 42.1% include someone with a disability, 39.5% include an elderly person, and 46.3% have a minor. "I don't let them know that, like, oh, mommy's struggling to put food on the table for you guys," said Kelli Brinnehl.