On Friday, students packed the food pantry at Brashear High School in Pittsburgh. Every surface in the room was covered with fresh produce, dairy, frozen meat and even hygiene products.

It's a big help for students like Ryan, who said his family relies on the food benefits they receive through SNAP — benefits that were disrupted by the government shutdown.

"My mom said try and get some food to help out the family, so that's what I'm doing today," he explained.

We aren't using full names because the students in this story are minors and we're asking them and their families to discuss their finances.

Lynn Johnson for NPR /

Friday was Ryan's second time inside the pantry. The junior said he didn't know his school had a food pantry until a couple weeks ago, when his mom got a notification

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