OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. - Food pantries in rural Washington are asking for more help amid the uncertainty with SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

Although the Trump Administration was ordered by two federal judges to continue paying benefits, it was unclear when those payments would resume, leading to increased patronage at food pantries like Tonasket Food Bank.

Diane Weddle with Tonasket Food Bank said a busy week used to mean around 120 families. In the last month, they've had weeks serving over 300 families.

In particular, Weddle said the food bank has seen a spike in elderly patrons, as well as farm workers.

In order to serve more people in need, Tonasket Food Bank has had to cut down from 15 items per bag to nine.

"We see the numbers going up every week," Food and Nutri

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