Already doing more with less, Salem food pantries brace for food benefit delays

With families unlikely to get timely federal support to buy groceries, Salem’s food pantries are preparing to feed more people. Despite their best efforts, leaders say some families will go hungry.

The ongoing federal government shutdown means millions of dollars in food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program won’t be distributed Nov. 1 as planned, unless Congress reaches a deal to fund the federal government.

The impending pause of food benefits has prompted Salem nonprofits, social service agencies and citizens to share resource lists directly with clients and across social media. But nearly everything points back to the same place: local food pantries supplied by the Marion Polk Food Share .

“We are seeing people who are desperate, who are trying to understa