Around 1/3 of Montgomery County’s workforce consists of federal employees or contractors. 68,000 people in the county rely on SNAP benefits.
NORTH BETHESDA, Md. — Finding food is something many federal workers and contractors in Montgomery County didn’t think would be a problem a month ago.
‘So What Else’, a nonprofit in North Bethesda, decided to help ease the burden as the current government shutdown is headed toward becoming the longest in the nation’s history.
Sunday, they donated food to hundreds of furloughed federal workers and contractors.
“We can at least make it through the week,” said Joseph Rodgers, who pulled into ‘So What Else’ on Sunday. A nonprofit donating food to furloughed federal workers and contractors during the government shutdown.
“It’s been very difficult for us because we don’t know what’s coming next. We don’t know if we’re going to get back pay as federal employees,” said Rodgers. “We just, yeah, we don’t know.”
Help was handed out by the truckload, and cars were filled with rescued or donated food.
“I thought it was more of a small, local pantry. This is massive,” said one person receiving food who didn’t want to give her name. “This is fantastic.”
This is So What Else’s third federal worker food distribution day since the shutdown started.
“We’re all going to have to figure it out and figure out how to unite and how to come together and serve people,” said Dave Silbert, Co-Founder and Executive Director at the nonprofit
Neighbors came out to help neighbors, and nonprofits like, Food for Maryland, pitched in too.
“The people drive by, they think they’re just going to get some food for their homes, and all of a sudden they get a hot meal while they’ve been waiting in line,” said Mark Boulis with Food for Maryland. “It exceeds expectations.”
Organizers say more than 100 volunteers showed up Sunday and more than 600 cars passed through to get some food, highlighting the need in Montgomery County.
“We have 68,000 residents on SNAP in Montgomery County alone. The level of uncertainty, the level of concern is really devastating, but we’re going to have to continue to do this because this is what we do in Montgomery County, this is who we are in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson.
This shutdown could be the longest in the nation’s history if it lasts through the week. In Montgomery County, where 1/3 of the workforce is made up of federal workers or contractors, the need for this will continue to grow.
“We’re anticipating having to be resourceful and innovative and calling on our partners as this continues,” said Laurie-Anne Sayles, Montgomery County Councilmember at-large.
These donations are providing at least some relief to those who need it.
“This is phenomenal. I probably won’t have to come back for a solid month, maybe,” said a federal worker who didn’t want to be named.
If you are a furloughed federal worker or contractor and missed this donation day but could use some help, So What Else says you can show up to their location any day with your badge and receive a food donation.