CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Holiday Meal Distribution at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s South Waterloo Road location in Collinwood saw 500 families get meals during this tough November made tougher by the government shutdown and an interruption of SNAP benefits.

“On average, we usually distribute five million pounds just in the month of November alone,” said Karen Pozna of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. “This year, we’re looking at seven million pounds because of the increased need.”

“I got some Brussels sprouts and I love Brussels sprouts, y’all,” said grateful neighbor Millicent Simpson.

“I feel great, I’m going to have a great meal!” she adds.

People using the Food Bank and food pantries for the first time has increased 30 percent over the past few weeks, according to Pozna.

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