Second Harvest Food Bank hosts mobile food pantry to help those in need

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The government shutdown may have ended, but federal workers' paychecks are delayed, and when they do get the money, they have to pay past-due bills.

That's one of the reasons the Second Harvest Food Bank hosted a mobile pantry on Saturday.

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It’s also to help families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to put food on their table because thousands of families in our area who rely on those benefits were also impacted by the government shutdown.

“They received their February benefits early, which means it’s going to be a longer period of time before they get their March benefits,” said Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Kay Carter.

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People in line to receive grocery staples, such as bread, milk, eggs, produce and more told Channel 9 they are appreciative.

Tim Gurley said he plans to use the food to help feed the homeless and children he coaches in basketball.

“I’m trying to help people who can’t help themselves,” Gurley said.

Food bank leaders told Channel 9 this is the second time in weeks they've organized a mobile pantry because of the impact of the government shutdown and that hundreds of families have come for help both times.

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