JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 34 days into the federal government shutdown, food banks across Northeast Florida say they’re seeing record demand as more families turn to them for help.

At The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services food pantry in Jacksonville, longtime volunteer Susan Zeiserman says what used to be a steady stream of clients has drastically increased.

"We’ve seen a doubling in the need of the clients that are coming here for food,” Zeiserman said. “Normally we’d see 40 to 60 families — now it’s upwards of 120 or 130.”

Zeiserman, who began volunteering after retiring from a 30-year career in pharmaceuticals, says many of the people she’s meeting are making their first ever trip to a food bank.

“One young man told us he lost his job, which seems to be happening more and more as

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