ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC) - As the government shutdown continues, and SNAP benefits are set to freeze on Nov. 1, food pantries across the nation are bracing for a major increase in demand.

More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP to buy groceries each month, roughly one in eight people nationwide, according to the USDA .

In Illinois, the program serves nearly 2 million residents , while in Iowa, more than 250,000 people depend on it, including over 20,000 in Scott County alone, according to state data.

At Heart of Hope Ministries in Rock Island, Food Pantry Coordinator Troy Scott said the number of families seeking help has grown significantly in recent months.

“Last week alone we served 154 people and that is almost a 60 person increase within the last two to three months,” Sc

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