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.
Other WRAL Top Stories
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.