These are challenging days for those who feed the hungry.

As of Nov. 1, if the federal government shutdown lingers, those receiving food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not have it.

As of Oct. 17, the state Department of Human Services temporarily paused SNAP benefit payments due to the federal shutdown.

Since SNAP is funded by the federal government, DHS cannot issue new benefits for anyone until the shutdown ends or the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows contingency funds to be used.

That, and federal programs have been cancelled or cut by half for provision providers such as the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg, which serves 27 counties and has a regional central distribution hub on Wahoo Drive in Williamsport.

“It certainly is a challenging time,” said Zach Zook, chief strategy officer, with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

Zook said a Local Food Purchase Agreement was “cancelled earlier this year.” It was $170,000-a-month used to buy fresh food from local farmers to feed the hungry, he said.

Additionally, 23 “loads” of food available through the federal Emergency Food Assistance program were cancelled this year, he said.

In total there has been a reduction by 50 % in federal food assistance.

“The combination of this and a loss or delay of SNAP benefits means less resources will be available to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to feed more people,” he said.

While food supplies at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank are considered by Zook to be “good,” he added that what might happen with the delay or loss of the SNAP could be on a scale that has yet to be known.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, said as much as he toured the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on Wahoo Drive.

Zook said he was on the tour with the legislator.

During the tour, Jason Nienczyk, the warehouse manager, emphasized to Meuser “the magnitude a lapse in SNAP funding would have on the organization.”

Serving 27 counties and providing food assistance to 286,000 people each month, the food bank could see requests for aid spike by 900% if SNAP funding comes to a halt.

SNAP benefits are currently set to continue only through Nov. 1, putting 1.96 million Pennsylvanians, including 760,000 children, at risk.

Acting SNAP Administrator Ronald Ward has warned that funding will be insufficient to pay full benefits if the shutdown extends into November.

“I saw firsthand how many families depend on this organization and how vital it is to Northeast and Central Pennsylvania,” Meuser said.

“A disruption in SNAP benefits would disproportionately impact low-income families across our Commonwealth, especially children who rely on this critical support,” he said.

Zook said those concerned about food supply can always go to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank website and its “Find Food” feature to use to locate a food pantry in their area.

The food bank remains dedicated to providing fresh, healthy food for neighbors who need it.

Every year, the charitable food system in central Pennsylvania reduces hunger significantly, by 50% based on thousands of surveys conducted across its service area and believes that no one should go hungry.

It also plays a major role in getting holiday food meals to agencies such as the American Rescue Workers for their annual distribution before Thanksgiving. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank relies on its 1,100 partnering agencies to feed the hungry.

At a local food pantry, supplies were down but donations continued to be graciously accepted.

“Part of the problem is the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has less resources than they have had in the past,” said the Rev. Kerry Aucker, spokesman for Jersey Shore Care and Share, a program that has its own independent board of directors and a website.

Since 2014, the program has operated a food pantry inside St. John Lutheran Church, 229 S. Broad St., in the borough of Jersey Shore.

“We have volunteers from 23 different churches and a wonderful group of volunteers,” he said., adding it was not affiliated with the specific church which provides the space for the food pantry.

“We are concerned because a lot of the people are calling in with worries” … about SNAP benefits, Aucker noted.

“We are blessed by donations from Weis and Save-A-Lot,” he said. “We continue to do the best we can and are thankful for any donations we get to feed people.” The charity also participates in WNEP TV Feed a Friend donations.

The food pantry ministry has recently provided provisions for between 250 or closer to 300 households a month – most of them older individuals who are struggling.

The largest number of people served have been 60 years or older and about 65 % of those are SNAP recipients who get food stamps, Aucker said.

“The food bank has done a tremendous job to help us in our outreach,” Aucker said. “They have limited supplies, too,” he said.

“Every gift helps.”