SPOKANE, Wash. — A local food bank has seen a 40% increase in demand over the last two weeks as millions of Americans continue waiting for federal food assistance amid ongoing government funding delays.

The surge comes as food banks across the region struggle to meet growing need while federal SNAP benefits remain uncertain. A federal judge Thursday ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the program by Friday, but the Department of Justice plans to appeal the decision.

Cal Coblentz, CEO of the Spokane-based food bank, Partners Inland Northwest, said the organization faces significant uncertainty about emergency food support.

"I think there is a lot of uncertainty about what is actually going to happen with the emergency food support statewide and nationally," Coblentz said.

The

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