Food insecurity continues to affect thousands across Southwest Virginia. On Thursday, dozens of food pantries and partner agencies gathered at the Feeding Southwest Virginia Agency Conference in Salem to discuss strategies and resources. Especially as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) benefits remain uncertain, and more families turn to food banks.

Virginia is launching an emergency program to ensure families don’t go hungry when federal SNAP benefits pause due to the government shutdown, becoming the first state in the nation to use state funds for food assistance benefits.