JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) -The Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) budget cuts are forcing some Mississippi humanitarian organizations to scramble as they try to find ways to do more with less.

At the Mississippi Food Network (MFN), shelves and storage space that once used to be filled with pallets of food now sit bare. Order loads are having to be reduced because the organization is expected to be down several million pounds of food this year.

“Mississippi Food Network serves 56 counties, and we serve a little over 150,000 people a month. And that number is growing. It’s hard on us. The cuts are difficult on us and on are partners, but it’s very difficult for the people that we serve. And we want to continue to be there for them and provide for them in whatever way we can,” said Cassandra Mobley, with the MFN.

Though funding and inventory are down, the demand for the MFN’s resources are up. Agencies from across the state have seen an uptick in people seeking help.

“Some of them have grown to depend on our agency for food. We try to bridge the gap so when they receive their monthly income for SNAP or their allowance. So, we try to help bridge that gap,” said Fred Davis, with Jackson Street Missionary Baptist Church in Vicksburg. “And in bridging the gap, we might not be able to bridge it like we used to in the past. Sometimes we provide three to five days, sometimes seven days. And now that might get to the point we can only provide two to three days.”

The MFN is asking for the community’s help by hosting food drives, so they can meet the needs of people.