CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Food Bank processed one of its busiest days in history on Friday, distributing nearly 320,000 pounds of food as hundreds of thousands of Northeast Ohio residents remain uncertain about the status of their November SNAP benefits.

The surge comes as the federal government shutdown stretches into its 38th day. More than 190,000 residents in Cuyahoga County and 2,500 residents in Geauga County — about 15% of Cuyahoga County's population — rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to help feed their families.

Food jumps to No. 1 need

The United Way of Greater Cleveland announced this week that food has jumped from the No. 3 to No. 1 need among callers to its 211 helpline — surpassing housing and utilities, which have historically ranke

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