CENTERVILLE, Ga. — People are still waiting to receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and people are turning to food pantries to try and fill the gap. We spoke with two who are facing increased demand with less food to go around.

Shelves at The Well food pantry in Centerville are looking emptier than usual. Cheri Cox, food pantry director said, “This is the lowest our canned goods have ever been. Ever."

The Well typically serves about 300 families each month. But Cox said that with the ongoing federal government shutdown and lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, the number of people seeking help could nearly double next month.

“Probably right around 500 to 600 families,” she said.

Even without the shutdown, Cox said it has become har

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