CLEVELAND — Another Cleveland nonprofit is stepping up to help fill the gap in SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown.

This week, the May Dugan Center at 4115 Bridge Avenue on Cleveland’s west side is expanding its food pantry capacity by 80% to meet the increasing need.

“We have increased our capacity to serve up to 4,500,” said Andy Trares, executive director of the May Dugan Center. “So, about 2,000 more than we do on a normal week.”

Trares said some are new families and individuals, while others are regulars who have already been coming more often than usual in the past couple of weeks. Last week, they said they provided food to 20% more families than normal.

They said more than 190,000 people in Cuyahoga County face uncertainty over November SNAP benefits, includin

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