In response to the increasing need for food impacted by the federal shutdown,United Way of Southeast Missouri (UWSEMO) is stepping up to help by distributing $3,000 from an emergency fund to area food pantries within its four-county service area of Cape Girardeau, Perry,Bollinger, and northern Scott Counties.Mark Stone, Director of Market Development, explained, “These donations come at a crucial time as local pantries begin seeing more people worried about how to feed their families. When there is a need in the community, United Way is there.”