The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has extended its hours and added days for people to access food. At the same time, governments and other organizations around the area have increased donations and other support for people who have lost federal benefits, including SNAP aid, due to the ongoing government shutdown.
The added aid comes as the shutdown has become the longest in U.S. history.
Supplemental nutrition assistance program, or SNAP, benefits, have not gone out this month to about 77,000 Summit County residents, among the nearly 42 million people who get food aid. Additionally, federal employees have begun to miss paychecks. Both situations have led to more need from food pantries.
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank extends hours, days for food access
The food bank’s on-site pantry, located at 350 Opportunity Parkway, will now open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (The food bank had previously closed its doors at 1 p.m.) Families can visit the pantry once a week…