KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Maui grassroots organizations are ramping up services as thousands of families brace for a disruption in food benefits.

If the government doesn’t reopen, the cuts will take effect on November 1st.

Lori Vakalahi is a mother of four.

Her youngest is just three months old.

She relies on Living Pono Project off Lono Avenue in Kahului to help feed her family of six.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s super helpful. It helps reduce the cost of groceries because it’s expensive. Just for one meal is like over 100 bucks … bread is like $10.”

Her ohana is one of about 700 families the organization nourishes every week.

Living Pono Project started in response to the Maui fires, but the executive director says they don’t turn anyone away.

“With the government shutdown, we

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