Iran Press/America: Calls from anxious workers have poured into agencies, and some of them are bracing for what they expect will be an increased demand for food at a time when donations are typically low. Some organizations are already seeing a spike.
Over the past two weeks, more than 280 federal employees have used a food bank that Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah operates, which is a 50% increase over the 566 regular clients who used services during that time, according to the organization's director, Maresha Bosgieter, Reuters reported.
"We might have to make the amount of the food baskets smaller if it continues, but our doors will stay open," said Deborah Nielsen, the programs coordinator and case manager.
Most of the federal employees who used the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, which is open four days a week, work for the Internal Revenue Service, Bosgieter said.
Last weekend in the Washington area, more than 2,400 people showed up at five pop-up markets for out-of-work federal employees and contractors. The attendance was more than double the amount of expected attendance at the markets organized by Capital Area Food Bank.
Federal workers stand in line for fresh food, in Washington, January 16, 2019/Reuters
Most of the food was done early, said the group's president and CEO Radha Muthiah.
The idea for the pop-ups came after the food bank saw a surge in calls from furloughed government workers, contractors and others to a helpline in the past two weeks, said Muthiah, whose organization partners with more than 400 groups in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Based on the increased call volume to the hotline and attendance at the pop-up markets, the organization said it anticipates it will have to provide up to 600,000 more meals -- a 20% increase -- specifically for federal workers and contractors this month.
The US government has been partially shut down for almost 19 days, after Senate Democrats refused to back a Republican-majority House bill that would allocate $5.7 billion to building the border wall.
Democrats took over the House on January 3, and have proposed bills to reopen the government, but have rejected any funding to the wall, ever, calling it “immoral.”
Some 800,000 federal workers will soon miss their first paycheck, and each sides has accused the other of ignoring their needs and interests. 101/ 211 /202
Read More:
Opinion Poll: Americans blame Trump and Republicans for shutdown
Trump walks out of shutdown meeting with democrat after 10 minute
