NEW HOPE, Minn. — Food shelves have been busy this month during all the uncertainty surrounding SNAP food assistance during the federal government shutdown.

Across the state, food shelves, food banks and volunteers are working to fill the gap until SNAP payments resume.

At The Food Group’s warehouse in New Hope volunteers were busy Friday afternoon packing one-pound bags of dried black beans that will be distributed to food shelves in the Twin Cities.

Executive Director Sophia Lenarz-Coy says it’s inspiring to see so many volunteers and organizations stepping in to help.

“Minnesota has a network of more than 300 food shelves statewide and they have really seen an increase in visits. What’s great is so many of our food shelves are really adapting to meet this need and even though they

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