SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - As it's now been over one week since SNAP benefits were paused, local food banks in Springfield are stepping up their services to help those in need across the Ozarks.

Ozarks Food Harvest is responding to the continued government shutdown and increased demand for food by purchasing $500,000 worth of additional food.

To help other organizations, they also released $300,000 in grant funds to their network of charities.

As SNAP benefit distribution questions still remain, Ozarks Food Harvest says it will continue to deliver food, door-to-door, free of charge, within its network of partnerships across Missouri.

"We will continue to do so regardless of cost to ensure agencies can focus on feeding families," said Jordan Browning, director of communications for Ozarks Food

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