Food banks and pantries in Missouri are preparing for a swell in demand as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is expected to be put on ice next month .
It’s been more than three weeks since the beginning of the federal government shutdown . Congress has failed to pass a spending bill that would re-open the government, which means some federal programs, including SNAP, are being put on hold.
Employees at food banks, which collect food, and at food pantries, which distribute food, said the freeze could put a strain on their organizations, which have already seen an increase in demand this year.
“It's terrifying,” said Angela Gobel, who operates Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry in Overland. “Let’s be real. They're asking us—a food pantry— to step in and do the job that the g