The Brief
- Bay Area food banks are seeing long lines as the government shutdown hits 35 days.
- Families are turning to food pantries for the first time, including federal employees, who have gone more than a month without pay.
- Pop-up food tents and local partnerships are expanding aid efforts, while officials urge residents to call 2-1-1 for help finding food and other support services.
OAKLAND, Calif. – As the government shutdown reached a record 35th day, the burden on people without SNAP food aid — or struggling to live without paychecks from federal jobs — became painfully clear in the long lines outside Bay Area food pantries.
“The line has been down the street every day. There’s a great need. We can hardly keep our refrigerator stocked,” said Lisa O’Bryant, manager at the Shiloh Mercy Ministries food pantry in Oakland. “It’s going out as fast as it comes in.”
Families turn to food banks for the first time
What they’re saying:
Among those waiting was Sara Doublet of Oakland, whose husband, an air traffic controller, is a federal employee. It was her first time visiting a food pantry.…