Amid the highest food insecurity rates in nearly a decade, a government shutdown is creating hardship and uncertainty for around 200,000 federal employees, active-duty military members, and people who work for federal contractors in North Carolina. Many hardworking people are just one paycheck away from needing support from their local food bank.

Even before the shutdown, food banks have been experiencing high levels of need. Many food banks across the Carolinas are seeing an increase of 30% or more over this time last year. Some food banks in North Carolina set new records for the number of individuals seeking assistance in September, especially in areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

“We need our elected leaders to come together and act,” said Eric Aft, CEO of Second Harvest F

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