CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As the federal government shutdown extends past day 35, over 34,000 people in Hamilton County are no longer receiving SNAP benefits.

Soddy-Daisy Food Bank President Alan Gram said, “Our numbers have increased by about 50 percent the first service day of the month.”

Mayor Wamp says this is a scene playing out across the county.

He said, “I was at the Bethlehem Center yesterday in Alton Park and just heard about a long line that morning for their food pantry.”

Other food pantries are stretched thin trying to meet demand such as the Red Bank Food Pantry.

Commissioner David Sharpe described, “I know that this week they have increased their orders for food by over 50 percent, hoping that will meet the anticipated growth and need, but we don’t know how long that

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