Phyllis Montrose, Child Development Resource Director for Head Start, said, "We're still not sure exactly what's going to happen, because we are a November one grant. So as soon as our grant goes through that process, and then they release the funds, we know that we will be fully operational, but at this point, you know we're going to continue it with business as usual."

The Lima City Council is stepping in to help families impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown and cuts to food assistance benefits.

Joe Patton, executive director of the Allen County Department of Job and Family Services, said his office anticipated the possibility of a shutdown. He noted that extended delays could affect the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.