LEWISTOWN — As the federal government shutdown threatens to run into November, many who rely on government programs for food and other essentials face confusion and uncertainty.

The numbers of those affected are staggering. In the U.S., approximately 42 million people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could lose aid on Nov. 1. In Pennsylvania alone, there are approximately 1,958,000 total enrollees in SNAP, including an estimated 760,000 children.

Federal funding for the Women, Infants, and Children program is affected as well. Nationwide, WIC assists nearly 7 million pregnant women and children under age 5. Approximately 182,000 WIC recipients in Pennsylvania rely on the program for nutritional support for themselves and their children.

If funds are delayed for several more weeks or beyond, several local organizations, food banks and churches can provide some relief.

“We don’t have anything extra planned but we are hoping we have enough food to service everyone,” Lillian Myers, coordinator of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Lewistown, said. “This is a time of year when people are extra generous with donations. Mifflin County is extremely generous for a small county. We do an extra food bag for our Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday bags.”

If the shutdown continues, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard will do its part.

“Last month we served 536 people. The month before, 569,” Myers said. “Our numbers are high for a small community. We get new families every month. We will help everybody who needs it. We will continue to do what we do.”

The best hope is for a speedy agreement at the federal level to approve funding for essential programs. For now, however, the government stalemate continues.

For those in Mifflin and Juniata counties searching for answers, the following lists of food resources could provide temporary relief. The lists are also available online at official county websites.

Mifflin County Food Supports

Food Distributions: May go to one distribution per month

• New Life Church (717) 242-1481, Monday (4 to 6 p.m.) and Tuesday (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) after the second Saturday of each month.

• Hand of Grace (717) 247-2656, second Saturday each month: Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Distribution is 10 a.m. to noon located at Grace Covenant Church. May deliver to physically handicapped families in Lewistown area between Goss Terrace and Mt. Rock Commons.

• Calvary Bible Church (717) 248-5409, Pick-up at church third Saturday each month: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Salvation Army (717) 248-8338, By appointment only. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (717) 248-9383, Food distribution during open hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9 a.m. to noon, Friday: 2 to 5 p.m. No appointment necessary.

• McVeytown UMC (717) 899-7866, Fresh Express distribution fourth Wednesday of every month 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. located at corner of Queen and John Street. Blessing Box located beside the church. Help one self to whatever is needed. Box is refilled regularly.

• East Kish Presbyterian (717) 667-0045, blessing box located in the church parking lot. Help one self to whatever is needed. Box is refilled regularly.

• Grace United Methodist Church (717) 248-5311, blessing box located at 101 Logan St., Lewistown. Help yourself to whatever is needed.

• Lewistown Presbyterian (717) 248-4561, Blessing box located along Third Street door. Food and hygiene items available.

• Military Share (717) 769-9671, First Thursday of the month, call to register Ext 11490.

• Milroy Fresh Express kishdco@gmail.com, third Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. White Memorial Church Fellowship Hall, Andrew Street, Milroy.

Other Food Resources:

• Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church (717) 667-2500, Soup giveaway, third Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 99 Taylor Drive, Reedsville, or Uni-Mart parking lot, 3 Center St., Milroy.

• Area Agency on Aging (717) 242-0315, Home delivered meals (eligibility determines how often for deliveries – intake is necessary), must be over 60 years of age.

• Freedom United Methodist Church 511 E. Freedom Ave., Burnham, third Saturday prayer breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

• Lewistown Presbyterian (717) 248-4561, Free community meal last Sunday each month, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• New Life Church (717) 242-1481, Free community meal fourth Tuesday of each month (except November and December), 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Rhodes Memorial UMC Free spaghetti dinner first Saturday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m., 500 Highland Ave.

• St. Vincent DePaul (717) 363-4812, Free lunch every fourth Saturday each month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• St. Mark’s Episcopal (717) 248-8327, Freewill donation Dinner every fourth Tuesday each month, 5 to 5:30 p.m.

• Pine Glen Church (717) 899-6297, Free lunch, first Friday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• WIC 1 (877) 743-1372, Food vouchers for Women who are pregnant, nursing, or have children 5 years or younger can apply. Men and grandparents who have custody of children 5 years or younger are also encouraged to apply.

• SNAP (Food Stamps) (877) 999-5964, Call for income guidelines and to apply by phone.

Monthly food calendars can be found on the Mifflin Juniata Human Services Department website: www.co.mifflin.pa.us/dept/HS (click on the Food Resources tab on the left).

Juniata County Food Supports

Food Distributions:

• Juniata County Food Pantry (717) 436-9718, Once a month, Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Also offers Senior Plus Program to Juniata residents 60 years old and up with qualifying income.

• Lighthouse Community Church (717) 320-6312, Food and clothing distribution third Saturday of the month, noon to 3 p.m. Food and clothing available throughout the month. Call for an appointment.

• Arch Rock Church The second Friday and Saturday of the month, from 9 to 11 a.m.

• Bread of Life – Thompsontown Journey Christian Church (717) 535-0022, Once a month, fourth Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Gita-Nagari Farm with Fresh Express (717) 607-9995, The second and fourth Thursday; 11:30 a.m. at the entrance of the ISKCON Farm, 534 Gita Nagari Road, Port Royal.

• East Waterford Presbyterian Bethesda Food Bags (717) 734-3780, second Saturday each month, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

• Faith in Christ Community Church East Waterford (717) 734-3162, Free lunch on the first and third Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Table of Grace Food Pantry Third Saturday of every month 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Mount Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Emmanuel UMC Rte. 35 Mt. Pleasant Mills.

• Rock Assembly of God (717) 527-9989, 5082 McCoysville Road, Mifflin.

• First Baptist Church Mifflintown (717) 436-9261, Free lunch last Friday of the month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other Food

Resources

• Area Agency on Aging (717) 242-0315, Home-delivered meals (eligibility determines how often for deliveries – intake is necessary), must be over 60 years of age.

• WIC 1 (877) 743-1372, Food vouchers for women who are pregnant, nursing, or have children 5 years or younger can apply. Men and grandparents who have custody of children 5 years or younger are encouraged to apply.

• Military Share (717) 436-7728, Fourth Thursday every month, 10 a.m. to noon, CJEMS Lane, Mifflintown. Must call to register at (717) 436-9718.

Monthly food calendars can be found on the county website under Human Services.