We are now three weeks into the second-longest government shutdown. It's second only to the 35-day shutdown in late 2018 that stretched into the new year. As of 6 p.m., the Senate is doing its 12th vote. There needs to be 60 votes to end the shutdown.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services said federally funded SNAP benefits will be unavailable in November if the government shutdown continues. This means an increased need for food, and food banks could be the ones stepping up, but they also could be stretched thin.

Wesley House's Red Bird Community Store opened as a response to food insecurity during the Pandemic. Five years later, the senior director of programs said the demand is greater now than ever.

"Families and individuals can come and get free food, clothing, shoes, and othe

See Full Page