Southwest Florida food banks and operators of mobile pantries are gearing up for bigger crowds and looks of desperation among low-income families as their food assistance benefits evaporate.
Three million Floridians receive SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, but the benefits suspend Nov. 1 as the federal government shutdown continues, barring any specific action by Congress to reinstate the benefits.
Data shows Lee County has more than 73,000 people on SNAP and Collier has nearly 22,000 on SNAP…