NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — One local food pantry said it is feeling the impact of the government shutdown, as THRIVE Peninsula received 519 requests for food assistance last week, double the amount it normally gets.
Food banks are preparing for a surge as federal food aid could be paused in the government shutdown
THRIVE serves more than 3,000 people per month, including from the area’s first free grocery store. Executive Director Angela York said they are now working to handle the influx of people impacted by the government shutdown.
“We’re just scrambling to see how we can add more hours to the market, add more appointments and just serve more people,” York said.
York said that they have had dozens of furloughed employes come in for food or rent assistance since the shutdown began…