WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP food assistance through the government shutdown.

More than half a million Kentuckians receive SNAP benefits. The rulings don’t mean families will immediately get the help they need, though.

In the meantime, they’re going to local food pantries for help, but those resources are struggling to keep up with the need, especially in Eastern Kentucky.

Food pantries see surge in demand

State data shows Wolfe County has the third-highest rate of SNAP usage across the Commonwealth. At Hazel Green Food Project, they’ve seen a significant increase in the need for their help since the shutdown began.

“Here we serve everybody. There’s no income requirements,” said Nicky Stacy, founder

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