Wisconsin food banks prep for high demand as shutdown looms

Site staff by Site Contributor

Volunteers stock shelves at The River Food Pantry in Madison.

Food banks across Wisconsin are bracing for an increase in the number of people seeking help as the partial federal government shutdown stretches through its third week.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin President Patti Habeck tells The Post-Crescent that the organization is preparing extra food for pantries as thousands of federal employees in Wisconsin cope without pay. Wisconsin families that rely on benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, are also growing concerned as the partial government shutdown endures.

President Donald Trump’s administration announced Tuesday that the program will be funded through February should the shutdown centered on Trump’s request for $5.7 billion in border wall funding continue.

Habeck says they’re scrambling to bring in more food since donations typically decline after the holidays.

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