"It could be catastrophic for some of our most at-risk families," says Lisa Vittorio, co-director of The Brightside Project, a nonprofit working to meet the needs of underprivileged kids and their families. She's among those in our area watching the likelihood of a government shutdown especially closely.

"We are already seeing an increase in numbers, children and families in Columbiana County, they're already struggling because of the inflation issues," Vittorio said. 

Especially the ones in nearby East Palestine.
But The Brightside Project is preparing as best it can, along with other area nonprofits, for things like SNAP benefits to be interrupted.
Mike Iberis, director of Second Harvest Food Bank, says SNAP cards for October have already been loaded, and there's plenty of supply in its pantries.

Other critical services are in preparation mode too.
Bob Barko of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station says a shutdown "...would adversely affect Trumbull County's largest employer".
Civilian workers would be furloughed except for a small number to keep the base secure.
Reservists wouldn't be able to come to drill or do training until funding gets restored.
They would all, however, get backpay whenever the shutdown would end.

A shutdown would also pause Medicare and Social Security, but it's simply too soon to gauge the ripple effects for individuals and families, like the ones Lisa Vittorio is looking out for.

"If it's short term, I think they'll be OK," she said. "If it's long term, weeks or months down the road, then we're going to have some serious issues."

Issues that could all be avoided if Congress is somehow able to craft an 11th hour deal.