CARTHAGE, New York (WWNY) - VEM Food Pantry in Carthage has a motto. “We Feed Body and Soul.” As the government shutdown continues in Washington, there are more bodies and souls coming through the door.

“We will serve anybody that’s not having a paycheck right now. They need to come and get help,” said Jody Mono, pantry coordinator.

This month, the pantry has already seen 2 dozen new families, a number set to go up as many who receive federal food subsidies or SNAP benefits are projected to lose those benefits beginning November 1.

“We are obviously asking people for food and monetary donations and that kind of thing, but we’re going to keep going one way or another. We have food, and if I have to go to Aldi’s every day and buy food, I’m going to do it,” said Mono.

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