FORT SMITH, Ark. — Four weeks into the federal government shutdown, local nonprofits are feeling the strain as more families face financial hardship.

The Community Services Clearinghouse in Fort Smith is well known for its Meals for Kids Backpack Program. Every Friday, the organization sends home nearly 2,300 sacks of groceries with students to ensure they have food over the weekend. Now, it's preparing for a possible increase in demand.

Executive Director Tami Kuhns said she’s concerned that if the shutdown continues, the number of families seeking help will rise.

"I'm afraid if this continues on, more parents are going to be reaching out to the school and asking for assistance," Kuhns said. "So if that happens, I feel like that's going to make our numbers really rise, and going into t

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