LOGAN — As the federal government shutdown stretches on, food pantries across Northern Utah are seeing a dramatic rise in families seeking help. At the same time, people and organizations are seemingly stepping up at a similar pace, with remarkable generosity.

At the Cache Community Food Pantry in Logan, Director Matt Whitaker said the increase in need has been staggering.

“We normally see five to ten applications a day,” Whitaker said. “Now we’re seeing 50 to 75 or even more applications each day.”

Matt Whitaker, Director of Cache Community Food Pantry. (Mike Anderson, KSL TV)

The pantry typically serves around 1,600 families a month. But with food stamp benefits halted, Whitaker estimates that more than 6,000 families in Cache Valley could be affected.

“We could potentially see a qu

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