CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Food pantries across eastern Iowa are experiencing unprecedented demand as the government shutdown continues to delay federal food assistance benefits.

Demand is evident at the Linn County Community Food Bank, which operates from the basement of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Cedar Rapids and now sees crowds typically reserved for holiday distributions three days a week.

Brian Westphalen, volunteer and board president, said the pantry usually serves 40-50 people but has added 18-20 new clients daily since SNAP benefits stopped receiving federal funding.

“The only time we see large numbers of people is when we do things on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Westphalen said.

The facility has transformed from an emergency food source into what Westphalen descr

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