The government shutdown has delayed federal food assistance payments to states and stressed local food pantries.

One Flagstaff distribution site has seen a 30% increase in demand over the last week.

A dozen cars were lined up outside the Flagstaff Family Food Center’s warehouse Friday morning.

One by one, staff and volunteers in fluorescent vests placed boxes of groceries and food staples into open trunks.

“We’re expecting the need to just keep going up and up and up," says Distribution Manager Chris Smiley. "On Tuesday, we broke our record for families served at our distributions. And then Wednesday, we broke the Tuesday record. And then on Thursday, we almost matched it.”

Adrian Skabelund / KNAU

Vice President Ceara Chirovsky says people are coming to the center for assistance more

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