KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) - As the government shutdown continues, Kinston’s mayor is speaking out about residents’ concerns of how SNAP benefits may be impacted.

Late Sunday night, Mayor Don Hardy shared a post on Facebook where he said he’s working with partner organizations and nonprofit food security providers to fill gaps for residents if the shutdown continues and SNAP benefits aren’t distributed next month.

This comes after the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services sent counties a letter warning that a continued shutdown could disrupt food assistance programs last week.

“Let me be clear, local efforts cannot replace federal assistance but we can and will step up together to ensure that no one in Kinston goes hungry due to circumstances beyond their control,” Hardy sa

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