COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The ongoing federal government shutdown is pushing many Midlands families to find new ways to make ends meet, including some who are opening their doors to help others.

The breakfast and brunch restaurant Ruby Sunshine is offering free meals Monday through Friday for federal employees. All they have to do is show up with a valid federal government ID.

To help people impacted by SNAP benefits, Back to the Rack Boutique, a Chapin boutique consignment store, has created a food pantry in the back of their building.

Store owner Megan Lowe says the idea came after her own family began feeling the impacts of the government shutdown.

“My husband works for the Department of Defense, and so he’s currently furloughed,” said food pantry organizer Megan Lowe. “So yeah, I mean

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