RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As the government shutdown drags into its second month and SNAP benefits delayed for the first time in 60 years, local food banks are seeing an outpouring of community donations to meet the increased need.

At the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, volunteers are working nonstop to keep up with demand by sorting, packing, and distributing food to partners across 34 counties.

According to President and CEO Amy Beros, the demand has already grown from 450,000 people facing hunger in 2023 to 600,000 in 2025. Since the shutdown began, she said the food bank has seen a "drastic" increase in need, now compounded by delayed SNAP benefits.

"Unfortunately, we have seen our shelves emptier than usual this past year because of the [federal] cuts that we've exper

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