Food banks in the Washington, D.C. region, which are assisting federal employees impacted by the ongoing government shutdown, ran out of food supplies on Friday morning while many were still in line. This occurred just one day after House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) expressed that families in need could be used as leverage against Republicans.
A long line formed at a metropolitan food bank in Northern Virginia, as individuals sought out essential groceries before the organization ran out, as reported by PBS News’ Lisa Desjardins.
Desjardins spent time in the car with a woman who, upon hearing the news, began to cry.
In another area, specifically Prince George’s County, Maryland, another food bank witnessed “middle-class professionals waiting for boxes of pasta, proteins, and produce to support their families.” This drive also exhausted its supplies after distributing boxes to 150 government workers just before receiving a new delivery.
“After waiting for two hours, Wanda Bright finally made it to the front of the line, right when the first supply ran out,” the report indicated.
Fortunately, additional food arrived, prompting cheers as the second truck rolled into the shopping center parking lot. Mr. Bright felt relieved as volunteers distributed bread and other essentials to help sustain his family for the week.
The ongoing government shutdown, now in its 24th day, has affected about 700,000 federal workers nationwide. Nearly 700,000 federal employees are in the D.C. area, which includes parts of Virginia and Maryland, making up around 20 percent of the federal workforce.
“I’ve never faced a situation like this. I served in the military for 21 years and worked as a federal employee for the last two,” a furloughed worker shared at the Prince George’s County Food Drive. “I aimed for federal employment because of the stability, but now that stability feels like it’s been pulled away.”
Mr. Clark has criticized House Republicans, noting that recent policies show a lack of genuine concern for federal workers, particularly regarding furloughs during potential shutdowns.
“The government shutdown is undoubtedly awful, and it’s families who will bear the brunt. We take this seriously. But it’s a crucial moment for us to respond,” the Democratic whip noted.
“This budget process is pivotal, and while we’ve been trying to engage with Republicans to prioritize the needs of the American people, there’s been a stark refusal. They seem to accept a shutdown while controlling the House, Senate, and White House, instead of addressing vital issues like health care affordability.”
Contrary to Clark’s assertion, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and others continue to dismiss Republican efforts for negotiation on a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.
