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Meridian Food Bank to help federal workers affected by the shutdown

The food bank typically serves about 1,000 people per week, but that number is expected to rise.

MERIDIAN, Idaho — The first couple of months after the holidays are typically when food banks hit a lull, and they're prepared for that slow down.

But now with the government shutdown, things are a little different.

Foods banks, like the Meridian Food Bank, are now preparing to give relief to federal workers affected, as well those they typically serve.

On average, the Meridian Food Bank provides food for about a thousand people a week, and that's not including those who are now impacted by the government shutdown.

RELATED: Number of federal workers seeking unemployment benefits doubles during shutdown

You could say, food banks like the one in Meridian are now dealing with a little bit of a double whammy because of the end of the holidays, but also the shutdown.

Since thousands of federal workers here in Idaho have not seen a paycheck because of the shutdown, many of them may now be turning to food banks for help feeding their families.

That means food banks are now providing for those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or SNAP, and the unpaid workers.

RELATED: Idahoans' February food stamps to be issued in January

“Once we move into February I think that's going to be the problem because they're going to have missed a whole month of pay and it's gonna start telling, and I think we just need to be ready for it,” said Meridian Food Bank Executive Director Dan Clark. “Pretty much all of the food banks are gonna get, I think, are going to get hit.”

Clark says they've never experienced anything like the current shutdown, so he understand that some folks who may not have access to a lot of extra food may be worried and that's why he wants people to know they are here to help.

But here's another concern: those who receive food stamps are receiving those food stamps earlier as a result of the shutdown, which means those individuals will need to budget for the entire month of February if the shutdown continues.

The Meridian Food Bank is run by volunteers and relies on donations from the community.

They are now closed for the day and won't reopen until Monday, but if you wish to help and make a donation, you can do so on their website.

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