Hunger fears grow in Minnesota as food shelves are overwhelmed

At the end of every month, Michelle Smith stares into her cupboard and finds little food to be found.

With her monthly Social Security check spent, Smith turns to Community Emergency Service, the largest food shelf in Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood, one of the poorest areas in the Twin Cities. “They always have a good variety of food and it’s always fresh,” Smith said.

Smith, a former nursing assistant who was forced to quit work following an accident, is among many Minnesotans who are food insecure.

The ranks of the hungry are expected to grow as grocery prices remain high — and could go even higher — and the federal government has cut food stamps and other nutrition programs, including grants that help food shelves in the state. Moreover, the shutdown of the federal government has