Food ministries brace for increased need during government shutdown

SHREVEPORT, La. - Food banks across the country are stepping up emergency efforts to help families who may not have money for food next month. The impact of the government shutdown is extending beyond federal employees, affecting families in the ArkLaTex who depend on SNAP benefits.

In Shreveport, food distribution ministries are seeing rising demand, especially at the end of the month when SNAP funds run out. “The first of the month, people would normally have resources, but at the end of the month, our numbers do go high,” said Al Moore, director of Christian Services in Shreveport.

Louisiana plans to fund November’s SNAP benefits, but neighboring states such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas will not. “There’s not an opportunity for Texas at this point to fund that,” said David Emerson