CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the federal government shutdown becomes the longest in U.S. history, Charlotte-area churches are reporting a surge in families seeking emergency assistance for food and basic necessities.
Local faith leaders say they’re fielding increasing calls from people struggling with unpaid bills and empty pantries as the political impasse in Washington continues.
“We obviously saw a lot of people in panic, and we are definitely seeing an increase in telephone calls to the church office looking for help,” Shannon Williams, the senior pastor at Finish Line Christian Center, said…