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State alerts food pantries about possible increase in need

US Department of Agricultura
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https://flic.kr/p/kUyZgD

Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services say they’ve spoken to food banks and pantries about a possible increase in the need for the month of February.

Food assistance beneficiaries had their February assistance dollars dolled out in January because of the government shutdown.

Bob Wheaton is with the Department of Health and Human Services. He said there’s some concern that recipients won’t have budgeted through the month and could need additional aid.

“There was misinformation that we had to dispel, people thinking that they had to spend their benefits by a certain date, by the end of January or some other data which is not the case.”

Wheaton said because of this - and because it’s difficult to know if every recipient got the memo about budgeting - the Department has alerted food banks about a possible increase in need.

“There might be some instances where people will spend those benefits and then might need to turn to the food pantries in February so we gave food pantries an alert about that that was a potential concern.”

Wheaton said Federal officials have confirmed that even if there is another shutdown there will be food assistance available for the month of March.