KENTWOOD — Feeding America West Michigan has launched an emergency 40-county food and fund drive as thousands across West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula face a month without federal food assistance.

The “Bridge the SNAP Gap” campaign aims to help families fill the gap left by a pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which normally help more than 1.4 million Michiganders each month.

“In Feeding America West Michigan’s service area alone, that’s more than 160,000 households that receive $19.1 million in monthly food assistance,” said Ken Estelle, president and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan. “With benefits paused, those families now face an urgent need for community support.”

While the food bank’s network of 800 pantries and meal programs is prepared t

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