About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to help pay for food every month. The payments help low-income individuals and families buy food at their local grocery stores with an EBT card that can be used on qualifying items.

SNAP benefits are expected to end on Nov. 1, but some Tampa Bay restaurants are offering free food to children affected by the government shutdown.

"At that age, if benefits have been cut, it's appropriate to tell them the government is in a shutdown, and be clear this is not the parent's fault. Otherwise, kids may internally blame their family before blaming the system," Smalls-Mantey said.