Amid a lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, San Francisco nonprofits that provide food assistance to low-income residents are ramping up their operations to mitigate hunger.

Leaders of organizations serving some of The City’s most vulnerable populations say the food-relief program’s funding uncertainties are adding to the obstacles that their clients already face, which include rising food prices, costly housing expenses and limited access to transportation.

The St. Anthony’s Foundation , for instance, has provided 17% more meals through its free meal program over the past few months compared to the same time last year, according to a spokesperson. Now, the organization is providing roughly 2,400 daily meals.

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