MONROE — The friends arrived at the soup kitchen with toddlers in their arms and worry in their eyes.

Ashleigh Pearce and Sabrina Spearman had heard that because of the federal shutdown, their food assistance would be cut. (“Just gone.”) Then they heard that Louisiana would restore a quarter of their allotment at a time. (“So I’ve gotta buy some eggs.”) Then, they could lose benefits, long-term. (“People really need those funds.”)

They were weary, not only from the whiplash but from the challenges that keep bringing them to Grace Place Ministries , on the city’s south side, week after week, for a hot meal and, on this morning, a pair of shoes. The air had turned chilly, and Spearman’s son was barefoot.

“Good morning!” volunteer Nathaniel Cooper bellowed, opening the back door, where a

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