RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- While the state has stepped in to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this November through Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA), there's even more Virginians who are struggling, yet don't qualify for benefits.

The Federation of Virginia Food Banks estimates 40% of food-insecure families don't qualify for benefits. Instead, many turn to food banks to make ends meet.

With the government shutdown putting even more stress on Virginians' wallets, those food banks are seeing a higher demand than ever before.

"We see a lot of those pantries really running out of food in ways that they wouldn't normally," said the Federation's executive director, Eddie Oliver.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin's latest Virginia Cares Initiative is asking individu

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