EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — It's day two of the government shutdown and if it carries on long enough, people who rely on food service programs could start to see impacts.

Local food pantries like Better Lives Rhode Island won't be directly affected, but may face trickle-down effects.

"Things are remaining the same, however, we do get our food from the community food bank and I'm sure they are feeling the crunch," Executive Director Paula Hudson told 12 News on Thursday.

The shutdown began on Wednesday after the U.S. Senate failed to pass a bill to continue funding the government.

Better Lives Rhode Island operates predominantly on donations from the R.I. Community Food Bank.

A spokesperson for the food bank said it will be fine in the short term since they have goods from the emerg

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