Storyline: A community-based food pantry in Brooklyn, New York City is struggling to keep up with surging demand as the U.S. federal government has halted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment during its ongoing shutdown. The U.S. federal government shutdown entered its 36th day on Wednesday, surpassing the previous 35-day record set during the 2018-2019 shutdown, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The impact of the record-breaking shutdown continued to spread, dealing a heavy blow to multiple areas affecting people's daily lives, including food assistance programs. The government shutdown has disrupted the SNAP, the nation's largest anti-hunger program serving nearly 42 million people, who mainly live at or below the federal poverty line. As a result, many families who depend on food assistance have been forced to turn to the food pantry for help. Staff reported that since last weekend, the number of people lining up each day for free food has risen sharply. "Before all of this happened, 200 clients per day, that's heads of household. Right now we're getting reports that some days it's 300 to 350. So a significant increase in the number of families," said Racquel Peters, chief development officer at The Campaign Against Hunger, one of the largest anti-hunger advocates in New York City. Despite emergency donations, corporate support, and volunteer efforts, shelves are depleting fast at the food distribution center, Peters said. "It is absolutely impossible that organizations like ours are going to be able to come in and bridge that gap. We just cannot do it. So the emergency network is not designed to bear up the entire loss. We cannot. If we continue to see an increase, we're going to run out of food," she said when asked about how long the emergency food network can sustain if the federal government doesn't promptly resume the SNAP payments. The U.S. federal government shutdown, which began on Oct 1 when Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a funding bill, has shown little sign of ending soon. Shotlist: Brooklyn, New York City, USA - Nov 4, 2025: 1. Various of people lining up outside community-based food pantry, sign reading "Campaign Against Hunger" 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Racquel Peters, chief development officer, The Campaign Against Hunger: "Before all of this happened, 200 clients per day, that's heads of household. Right now we're getting reports that some days it's 300 to 350. So a significant increase in the number of families." 3. Various of staff members working, recipients 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Racquel Peters, chief development officer, The Campaign Against Hunger (partially overlaid with shot 5): "It is absolutely impossible that organizations like ours are going to be able to come in and bridge that gap. We just cannot do it. So the emergency network is not designed to bear up the entire loss. We cannot. If we continue to see an increase, we're going to run out of food." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Sign for "The Campaign Against Hunger" [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. Various of staff members working, recipients 7. Various of people lining up outside community-based food pantry, sign reading "Campaign Against Hunger" [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]