MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — The executive director of an Ellis County food pantry believes she is witnessing first-hand the impact of the government shutdown and its effect on federal worker paychecks and the uncertainty over federal SNAP benefits .

"It's like a 42% increase, just this week alone," said Norma Belcher with Manna House , which operates free food pantries in Midlothian and Italy. "And we're only on day five."

Shoppers at the Midlothian food pantry on Friday included Deborah Nielsen, guided through the aisles of fresh food and supplies by a Manna House volunteer named Roberto, and with the help of a FaceTime call to a friend named Linda Lamar. Homebound with multiple health problems, including COPD, Lamar had Neilsen shop for her.

Lamar says she relies on the help of Manna Hou

See Full Page