SALEM - Volunteers at the Brightside Project made 400 food bags for children affected by the government shutdown. The faith-based non-profit aims to provide relief to those in need during times of crisis in Columbiana County and surrounding areas.

The Brightside Project Co-Director Lisa Vittorio says that the purpose of the food bags is to ensure children have food while SNAP benefits are paused due to the government shutdown.

"The goal right now is to make sure that no child has to question where their next meal will come from," she said.

Each food bag contains child-friendly food items such as fruit cups and ramen noodles, according to Vittorio.

The organization initiated its crisis relief program during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing relief again following the train derailment i

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