By Leah Douglas and P.J. Huffstutter

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) -Cynthia Kirkhart, the CEO of Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, West Virginia, has already had to explain to customers this year why the organization is rationing bags of potatoes.

The food bank, which also serves households in Kentucky and Ohio, has had to shrink its allotments as higher food costs and surging need strain its budget.

Now facing the prospect of nearly 300,000 West Virginians missing November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, due to the federal government shutdown, there is little more she can do.

“You remove SNAP dollars, and people have no resources. We’re in some real trouble,” Kirkhart said.

Nine food banks and anti-hunger groups in eight states

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