“I’m gonna starve.”

Nick Gamez, waiting in line at a Bay Area food pantry as demand for free food spikes amid the federal government shutdown. Gamez, who lost his home and job, said he’s relying on food banks to survive as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits remain frozen for millions of Americans. At Hunger at Home’s Monday distribution in San Jose, the line of cars stretched for hours — growing 40 percent from the previous week — as volunteers rushed to meet surging need.  (The Mercury News)