As the government shutdown reaches its fourth week, a local food bank says need has increased notably.

A volunteer at the Ron Wood Family Resource Center said its food bank served 35 families in its first hour and a half of opening on Tuesday. Its executive director, Scott Morgan, says food bank need has increased by about 10% from this time last year.

If the shutdown continues and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP benefits, come to an end, Morgan said the food bank is "going to see that potentially double coming up here."

Morgan added that federal employees are not the only group they're seeing regularly.

"Our tourist industry is drained and what we call the 'shoulder season,'" Morgan said.

Morgan said that as tourism slows down, those service workers lose hours, causing them to rely more heavily on food banks.

We're also approaching another busy time for people facing food insecurity.

"We are rolling into the holiday season," Morgan said, "which is typically a stressful time for most families thinking about how they're going to manage a Christmas and Thanksgiving food budget."

The Ron Wood Family Resource Center will accept donations of food, cash, and hygiene products, but they're especially looking for non-perishable foods like canned meats and soups.

If you're in need, it's easy to get help from the food bank. Just call them to schedule a time, drive to 2621 Northgate Lane, Suite 62 in Carson City, stay in your car when you get there, and they'll bring your food out to you.

Anything helps members of our community, especially one family who Morgan said reached out to the food bank on Monday.

"This is a mother who's not a federal employee," he said, "but her husband is and he's out trying to get some extra work because his paychecks have stopped."

Morgan says there's no shame in needing help.

"There's a stigma associated with coming to a food bank," he said. "And that can't be further from the truth."

If you'd like to learn more about donating or volunteering at the Ron Wood Family Resource Center, or if you're in need and want to schedule a pickup, we have more information here.