HOLLAND, Vt. (WCAX) - Northeast Kingdom residents are losing access to food amid the news that the Holland Food Shelf is preparing to close its doors for good.

“We got the other letter saying, sorry, the federal government was nixing that program,” said food shelf director Lucy Neel.

The food shelf served 32 families on Wednesday, and has served 700 families a month for the past three years. A total loss of federal SNAP funding is forcing the shelf to close its doors permanently.

“I’m heartbroken. I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve shed. For me, it’s a loss because I look forward to it. I love being here, I love volunteering, it’s a real lift for me, but I really am worried about the people who are the patrons,” said food shelf volunteer Judy Appel.

Organizers say the pantry mostly s

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