Amid higher demand following the government shutdown and the holiday season approaching, Columbia food banks are stepping up with the help of high school students.

Cardinal Newman High School students delivered cans to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Monday to help feed the nearly 12,000 people who come to the pantry each year. 

“Part of our faith is that we give to those who need it more,” said student Alex Abreu.

“If we are fortunate enough to be able to do that for them, it is really important for us to give back,” said fellow student Katie Carlson.

As an agent for Harvest Hope Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul preps care boxes for families in need every week.

“We don’t want anyone to go hungry,” said Steve Smoak, director of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. “We’re very lucky to have what we have today.”

Smoak says the pantry typically sees about 80 people per week, but with the holiday season approaching, that number is expected to jump to 150.

The students who were there on Monday also noticed the demand, stating that this year they felt like they were lugging in more boxes than usual.

 This strain is compounded by the lapse in SNAP funds amid the government shutdown, which has left many food pantries depleted and swamped with demand. The COO of Feeding America said many families in need used up what reserves they had during the 43-day government shutdown and are now in more need than ever.