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As the government shutdown wears on, some are trying to ensure a certain group of federal workers get a hot meal.
WASHINGTON — John Yori has been helping the country’s military families since 2013, when he started United Soldiers and Sailors of America.
The goal? To make sure those who protect our country can come home to a warm meal.
“Those who serve our country and those who sacrifice so much for our freedom should never have to worry about feeding their families or putting food on the table,” Yori declared.
On Sunday, the organization distributed food to military families in Accokeek, Maryland.
Yori says, during the lead-up to events like this, he can rely on military bases in the DMV to help let people know through their social media platforms.
But this time, the government was closed…
“It was word of mouth,” he said. “Normally, we end up getting wiped out, and needing more food, and not enough people knew, and we can only do so much with word of mouth without those social media channels.”
Yet even with a smaller crowd, Yori says around $10,000 worth of food was given away today, which highlights a longstanding issue many military families face.
Last year, the US Department of Agriculture released a study showing that more than 25% of the military community is food insecure, more than 2.5 times the rate of their civilian counterparts.
Yori says his family’s military history stretches back to World War I, and he’s seen this dynamic play out firsthand for decades.
“It’s very difficult, especially if one spouse is deployed, the other is at home with the children, it’s difficult when you’re relying on one military salary,” he said.
Last week, President Trump signed a memorandum directing the Pentagon to reroute funds to pay military personnel.
On Saturday, the Trump administration said it would use unspent Department of Defense R&D funds to cover those checks, while Congressional Democrats have questioned its legality.
Meanwhile, Yori says it’s critical that the armed forces are provided for, no matter what.
“They are on the front line defending the very freedoms, the very Constitution that we hold dear,” Yori said. “They need to be paid, their families need to have a healthy meal on their table at the end of the day.”
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