For the past 55 years, Meals on Wheels Erie has helped provide meals to hundreds of people every day.

However, the government shutdown is taking a toll on the organization.

“We have got a couple programs,” said Meals on Wheels Erie Executive Director Jennifer Hoffman.  “These programs have a wait list about as twice as long as to what we have the capacity and funding to help currently.”

The nonprofit isn’t alone.

“The data is clear,” said Dr. Linda Fleming of the Civic Impact Project.  “Disruptions at the federal level are causing real and measurable strain.”

On Tuesday, the Civic Impact Project released results from a countywide survey assessing the impact of federal funding cuts on local nonprofits.

“What we found was that a lot of these organizations are really struggling,” said Dr. Fleming.  “There’s a lot of anxiety.  A lot of distress.”

The survey involved information from 80 nonprofits.

It found that more than $13.5 million in federal funding has been lost in Erie County, since August.

The survey also found that more than 40 percent of the organizations reported funding reductions, while 20 organizations anticipate future cuts.

Furthermore, up to 53 staff positions have been cut, while 25 percent of the organizations have no reserves.

Nine nonprofits fear collapse.

“There’s been so much change in the last six months that it’s really like the ground is just constantly changing under your feet,” said Dr. Fleming.  “It’s been really hard for organizations to plan for the future, even adapt as quickly as they had to for the events that have been happening.”