The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle said more people have relied on
its services since the federal government shutdown.
The Raleigh-based nonprofit said between 100 and 300 more
people have received services between August and September.
The nonprofit’s staff expects the numbers to increase as
more federal workers face the impacts of the shutdown,
which began on Oct. 1.
“How do we do more with less because there is a bigger need
but we have fewer dollars?” said Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Chief Development
Officer Kimberly Burrows. “As you mentioned, not having a state budget, we used
to get state funds.
“And, this is actually the first year that in the proposed
budgets that are out there, they have cut food bank funding for the first time
in 35 years.”
Burrows said the end of COVID funding, federal cuts and no
state budget have contributed to the nonprofit struggling to meet people’s
needs.
The nonprofit provides nutritious food to children, families
and seniors facing food insecurity.
Related: Triangle
food pantries fear government shutdown could strain resources, spike demand
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits
are expected to last at least until next week.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS]
sent out a notice. The DHHS said the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not
have enough money to fund SNAP benefits through November.