When federal Supplemental Nutrition Awareness Program, or SNAP, benefits were suspended on Nov. 1, food pantries around Iowa City braced for a new wave of need. Local businesses and restaurants are working to fill gaps in need.
In Iowa City, the Free Lunch Program has seen a 30 percent uptick in visitors since the suspension of SNAP benefits, according to Laura Hunter, director of outreach and administrative operations for the Free Lunch Program.
Hunter said the program provides lunch to people Monday through Saturday between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m…