One of Florida’s largest independent food banks is gearing up to help thousands of families who will miss federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) benefits due to the U.S. government shutdown .

Farm Share is setting up distribution sites across Florida to help provide families with food relief beginning Saturday. Officials with the food bank say they’re already seeing a surge in demand from people who need the help keeping their family members fed.

“Every day, we meet community members who tell us they’ve run out of options,” said Stephen Shelley , CEO of Farm Share.

“With SNAP benefits threatening to pause and food prices higher than ever, people are turning to food banks like never before. At the same time, Farm Share is coping with significant state budg

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