Mercer Co. - As the government shutdown stretches on with no easy resolution at hand, local institutions are forced to adapt to keep up with the added demand.

The Mercer County Food Bank is one such institution. Its monthly average for people served is 13,000. September's total came to just over 15,000.

According to Becky Page, Director of the Mercer County Food Bank, "We could see more folks coming to the lines depending on the length of the shutdown... we're preparing for that along with our busiest season ahead."

But the food bank's staff is ready to do what it takes to make ends meet, as they had already been operating under their emergency protocols the entire year due to farming and food subsidies that were cancelled by the USDA.

On top of that, Pennsylvania is currently grappli

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