WASHINGTON (AP) — With the combination of the longest government shutdown, the mass firings of government workers, and a fresh cut in federal food aid, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington is bracing for a swell of people who will need its help before the holiday season.
The food bank, which serves 400 pantries and aid organizations in the District of Columbia, northern Virginia, and two Maryland counties, is providing 8 million more meals than it had prepared to this budget year — a nearly 20% increase.
The city is being hit “especially hard,” said Radha Muthiah, the group’s CEO and president, “because of the sequence of events that has occurred over the course of this year.”
Washington has the largest share of federal workers in the nation, with about 20%. Many have already missed paychecks, sending both individuals and local businesses into challenging circumstances.
As families strain under financial pressure, there’s a noticeable increase in the need for food assistance. The food bank is expected to provide 1 million more meals this month compared to its earlier forecasts.
“People are borrowing against their futures to be able to pay for basic necessities today,” Muthiah added, highlighting the long-term implications of the unfolding crisis.
At the same time, local businesses dependent on federal workers’ discretionary spending report significant drops in revenue, which threatens their economic viability through the holiday season.
With the holidays approaching, organizations like the Capital Area Food Bank are central to mitigating the impacts on vulnerable families, offering critical support as the community grapples with the effects of the shutdown.
