The Maryland Food Bank and its partners across the state are bracing for a potential increase in food insecurity as the government shutdown continues. The groups are working to meet the need if the shutdown lasts for a prolonged period of time. “At this point, what we’re doing is we’re making sure we’re having a lot of good communication with our partner network,” said Anne Wallerstedt, vice president of government relations and strategic initiatives at the Maryland Food Bank. Making sure that they know that we are ready in case they have an increased need.”The potential increased need comes as the Maryland Food Bank has already lost around $4.5 million in federal funding. The food bank is no stranger to filling in the gaps, having experienced the 35-day government shutdown that started in 2018 and carried into 2019, during which the food bank set up pop-up food pantries.