KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) — Uncertainty surrounding funding for federal food assistance programs because of the government shutdown has local food banks seeing an increase in need.

Feeding America West Michigan says it expects the need to grow the longer the shutdown drags on.

Keeping the shelves stocked at the nonprofit’s Kentwood warehouse is a constant task and with questions surrounding future funding for food programs like WIC and SNAP workers may be busier than ever before.

Ken Estelle, the president and CEO of the nonprofit, said it is already seeing high demand.

“Just because of uncertainty, there are more people coming to some of our food distributions because they just are not sure what may happen, so even though they may not have been directly impacted yet, we’re seeing that in

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