The federal government shutdown has frozen money for another food assistance program in Minnesota, and the majority of people impacted are children.

Federal money for November food benefits under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) has been halted as the shutdown continues.

Unlike the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), whose federal funding has also been frozen, MFIP was specifically designed for young families and pregnant women. It’s also temporary, and there’s more than grocery money bundled into it. There’s also a cash benefit to help families cover diapers, medications, school supplies, and more.

However, at least half of that money is designated for groceries, and that part of MFIP is frozen.

Tabitha Pannell is a single mother of two girls. While pregnant, Pannell said she found out her eldest child, now 3 years old, had congenital heart defects and required surgery starting at birth. That’s when she applied and was approved for MFIP.

“I knew that would be challenging, and at the time, I didn’t have a good enough job to sustain providing,” Pannell said.

“And with medical complexities, that’s kind of a scary road as a new parent alone.”

Now, the $650 a month the family of three counts on for groceries won’t be coming in.

“I know I’m not going to be able to make up that particular amount,” she said.

“If these parents, like myself, we don’t have a fallback plan, that gets really tricky.”

More than 23,000 Minnesota families use MFIP each month on average, according to information provided by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

“Families are incredibly worried and concerned about how they will put food on the table. They’re worried about the long-term impacts that it might have on their children’s health,” DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown said.

About $20 million in federal funds goes to these families, mostly young kids, every month, Brown said, adding that a large chunk of that, the grocery money, isn’t coming for November.

Earlier this week, the state committed an additional $4 million to food banks in anticipation of MFIP and SNAP benefits running out.

“A lot of food pantries and food shelves, they’re an option, but they’re going to be overwhelmed,” Pannell said.

$4 million seems like a drop in the bucket, even when it comes to MFIP, which is a much smaller program than SNAP, and Brown agreed.

“Correct,” Brown said. “Right, if this goes into December, I’m incredibly concerned about what Minnesotans will be facing.”

“That’s kind of what I’m bracing myself for,” Pannell said, asked about her family’s situation if the shutdown continues beyond November.

“You know, politics aside, there’s kids that are not being fed, and if that doesn’t infuriate anyone, than that speaks to a larger issue.”

State officials are looking, but have not come up with any additional places to pull money from, Brown said.

“It’s been incredibly discouraging to know that, despite our very best efforts, unless Congress acts, our hands are truly tied,” she said.

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The Gophers host Michigan State at Huntington Bank Stadium this Saturday. At 0-5 in conference play, the Spartans have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Big Ten, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still dangerous. Here are five key matchups for this week’s game.

Marsh has a strong argument for being the best player on Michigan State. Listed at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, he has 46 catches for 479 yards and five touchdowns, which are all team highs. The Gophers’ cornerbacks struggled against California, Rutgers and Ohio State, but they’ve responded against Purdue, Nebraska and Iowa over the last three weeks. With John Nestor’s status up in the air, Za’Quan Bryan and the rest of Minnesota’s corners will need to step up.

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Over the last two weeks, Minnesota has faced No. 2 and No. 8 pass defenses in the country. Lindsey has completed 66.6% of his passes for 131 yards per game with two total touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a great opportunity to get back on track this week against Michigan State’s 87th-ranked unit, which has allowed 230.8 yards per game through the air. With Darius Taylor’s status up in the air, Lindsey might need to have a big game.

Michigan State’s starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles, struggled last week, completing 50% of his passes for only 130 yards and one rushing touchdown. He has been pretty up and down all season, and there haven’t been any signs that imply that the Spartans would make a change at the position, but they’re 0-5 in conference play. If they make a move, it would likely be for freshman Alessio Milivojevic, who has looked good in garbage time. This could be something that completely changes the game if Michigan State makes a surprise decision.

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After a breakthrough performance against Nebraska, Minnesota’s offensive line reverted to its old ways against the Hawkeyes. They will face a far less daunting Michigan State defensive front this week. The Spartans’ 14 sacks rank 88th-best as a team, and their 149.4 rushing yards per game rank 76th-best. The Gophers have an opportunity on Saturday to get their confidence back.

The Gophers haven’t lost back-to-back games all season, but they might face their toughest challenge to avoid that happening this week against the Spartans. It’s hard to find many things on paper where Michigan State has a huge advantage over Minnesota, which makes this game even more sneaky. The Gophers badly need to respond emotionally after last week’s beatdown in Iowa City.