RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — One by one, federal employees, known for their unwavering dedication to public service, have been lining up to seek help feeding their families.

"Seeing some of these dedicated volunteers, who are now in line for food assistance, is truly heart-wrenching," said Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC Vice President Jason Kanawati Stephany.

Jason said they first saw a spike several months ago.

"Our communities were already facing the worst hunger crisis in a generation before we even came into the cuts to SNAP grocery support and Medicaid healthcare coverage that happened this summer," he said.

He said more than 600,000 people are facing food insecurity and seeking food assistance from their network.

"Before the shutdown began, our pantries and meal sites throughout

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