Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding has created a surge in need at food banks across the United States while producers, restaurants, grocery stores and nonprofit organizations offer assistance.
The longest government shutdown in history came to an end on Wednesday as President Donald Trump signed a stopgap bill to fund the government.
More than 40 million SNAP recipients have gone without their monthly food assistance funds as the Trump administration has fought in court to deny releasing payments. Meanwhile food banks and pantries are stretched thin trying to meet the needs of their communities.
The effects of the lapse in SNAP payments have put a stress on the nation's food bank systems that will not be quickly alleviated, Daniel Leckie, CEO of HATCH for Hunger, told UPI. HATCH for Hunger is a nonprofit organization that supports more than 100 food banks across the country by distributing animal proteins like meats, eggs and dairy.
"It's going to create a ripple effect that is going to linger and last far beyond what we're talking about today in November," Leckie said. "There could be instances where by June food banks don't have the budget left to purchase food."
