Central Valley food pantries running low on supply amid government shutdown

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Food banks successful the Central Valley are nether unit to supply arsenic galore Californians stay without their SNAP benefits Saturday.

Although the USDA is once again backing SNAP, not each EBT accounts person received their monthly funds. As a result, galore recipients successful California are relying connected nutrient pantries to conscionable their play market needs.

The Director of Development astatine the Merced County Food Bank, Joseph Hypes, said helium has worked determination for 7 years. Like many, helium called the effect of the authorities shutdown connected nutrient benefits unprecedented.

"The past mates of weeks person been immoderate of the busiest times for america present astatine the nutrient slope with everything going on; astir apt adjacent since COVID, oregon immoderate of the flooding," helium said.

Hypes said helium understands the need, but the nutrient slope tin lone assistance truthful much.

"Back successful the day, you could locomotion distant with similar four, 5 bags of groceries. But present that same, you know, four, 5 bags is two. Right? And it's conscionable truthful hard for radical close now. And they request arsenic overmuch assistance arsenic they tin get," helium said.

Due to the heightened need, the nutrient slope is asking for the community's help. In collaboration with Merced's section government, it has acceptable up aggregate nutrient drop-off sites for donations, which are listed connected the its website.