Kisha Tivis heard about an emergency food distribution event at Jewish Family Services the day her family’s SNAP benefits were supposed to arrive but didn’t. The moment she clocked out from her job as a caregiver, she drove over, hoping for the chance to grab a box of food.

She joined a line of cars snaking around the block, temporarily causing a traffic jam on 63rd Street, when her phone rang.

“Mama, I’m hungry,” cried a young voice over the speakerphone. “Where are you? I’m hungry!”

It was her 9-year-old daughter. Her youngest called when hunger outlasted her patience.

“I know baby, I know,” Tivis said. “I’ll be there shortly … I’m trying to get some help right now.” • Food pantry demand doubled during the SNAP disruption and government shutdown. • Government funding cuts are hur

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