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Walker hoped that the box of produce, canned goods and other groceries in which she left a Georgian pantry on Wednesday would help her colleagues at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Walker, a board member of the union representing employees of the TSA in Georgia, said she was willing to convince employees to go to the Pantry at Conyers.
After the shutdown, four weeks ago, federal employees struggling to fend for themselves several organizations across the country are turning to food banks and pantry to feed their families.
Anxious workers burst into the agencies and some of them are gearing up for increased demand for food. at a time when donations are generally low. Some organizations are already seeing a spike.
In the past two weeks, over 280 federal employees have used a food bank administered by Catholic Community Services in northern Utah, an increase of 50% over the 566 regular clients who used the services during this period, according to the organization. director, Maresha Bosgieter.
"We should perhaps reduce the amount of food baskets if this continues, but that our doors will remain open, "said Deborah Nielsen, program coordinator and case manager.
Most federal employees of the Joyce Hansen Hall food bank, open four days a week, work for the Internal Revenue Service, Bosgieter said.
Most meals were prepared early, said group president and chief executive Radha Muthiah.
The Idea of Pop The Food Bank has seen an upsurge in calls to emergency phone numbers, from dismissed government employees, subcontractors and staff. other people, in the past two weeks, said Muthiah, whose organization associates with more than 400 groups in Washington, Maryland, Virginia and in the state of Virginia. ]
"There is just a little shock"
Muthiah was saying over 50 calls a day from employees, contractors and other fired employees, flocking to the line of life Hunger Lifeline of the Food Bank, which offers resources such as Pantry Nearby, in the last two weeks. This represents an increase of about 15 to 20% in the volume of calls compared to the same period last year, said Muthiah.
In recent weeks, the organization has noticed that people calling the hotline have never called a food bank before to ask for advice.
Muthiah stated that a woman who attended the ephemeral market said she organized food drives for a non-profit organization and never imagined having to go to a food bank.
"I think there is a bit of shock and surprise that they are in these circumstances," said Muthiah.
Muthiah remembers another licensed female worker who wanted to work for her food and who volunteered to pack products at the food bank.
"I felt that I had to do something to win it," she recalls.
The Capital Capital Food Bank typically provides about 3 million meals in January, said Muthiah.
In view of the increased volume of calls to the telephone support service and attendance at ephemeral markets, the organization announced that it would have to provide up to 10% of the time. to 600,000 additional meals, an increase of 20%, especially workers and contractors this month, she said.
"Food is fundamental and we hope that a resolution can be found as soon as possible so that people can continue their lives," said Muthiah.
"We'll do our best"
Linda Alexander, director of operations at the Three Angels Food Network in Conyers, said she expects more money Federal employees are calling on their services this week. About 30 unemployed federal employees have called the pantry in recent days, which is unusual, said Alexander.
"They say," I'm going to need help this week for my kids to be fed, "said Alexander.
She said that the l & # 39; association tries to prepare for increased demand.
"We have donations available based on our trend data, and this is an anomaly," said Alexander. "We are trying to source food from other distributors with whom we usually treat because we anticipate … this need will manifest itself in a real way. It will affect us. "
She added," We will do our best. We believe we can mobilize additional resources.
Walker, secretary-treasurer of the local union of the American Federation of Government Employees, said she had been working without pay since the end of December, like many of her colleagues. and asked her mortgage company and creditors to work with her.
At the request of her local president, she went to Three Angels Food Network to go get the goods and get information for union members.
She has not yet reached her breaking point, but says she would turn to the larder to ask for the "I'm not too proud. All I could use, "said Walker, 57.
Helping Around the World
Increasingly small efforts, others getting are also mobilized to feed the employees affected by the closure.
Andrés and his association have served millions of free meals following natural disasters, including Hurricane Maria and the fires of Forest in California.
In some larders, workers on leave left more than food, but also management and peace.
Nielsen stated that she had encouraged federal workers who came into her office to also apply for unemployment and to develop a plan with their creditors.
On Tuesday, she donated two inflatable puff slides to two government employees who had come with their children.
"It will give us something to do during the stop and we will not think about it," she recalls.
CNN's Lauren DelValle, Keenan Willard, Amy Chillag, and Joey Hurst contributed to this report.
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