GROVELAND, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Central Florida food pantries are being impacted as the government shutdown stretches into the weekend. The Neighborhood Center of South Lake food pantry in Groveland is seeing an increase in people coming in for help as a result of it.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
The Neighborhood Center of South Lake in Groveland is experiencing a rise in demand due to the government shutdown
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The pantry is struggling with reduced donations and stretched food resources
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Federal workers and military members are among those seeking assistance<\/p>\n
Chief Executive Officer Patricia Kry says that in an average week they serve anywhere from 450 to 500 families.<\/p>\n
Kry says Fridays are typically considered to be one of their slow days, with 70 to 90 families being served, but this past Friday they saw over 120 families in just a few hours from opening. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we are seeing an increase in families coming in \u2014 families that didn\u2019t usually need the services since they are now not being paid,\u201d Kry said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The organization says those visits include federal workers from Orlando International Airport, the Coleman Federal Prison and military members.\u00a0They expect the number to increase next week as SNAP funds run dry<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kry says they are still trying to operate, despite struggling.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith the higher prices, we are seeing a dip in the donations, as people don\u2019t have enough room in their budgets to give anymore,\u201d Kry said. \u201cAs well as we are having the increase in families here that our food sources are being stretched.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The organization has already cut back on its children\u2019s food program since it still hasn\u2019t gotten funds for this year.<\/p>\n Kry says the pantry is already making cuts to how much food they are giving out moving forward.<\/p>\n