Government shutdown, demand for charity food soars

Washington [US], October 23: Food banks and community groups are seeing a surge in demand for assistance, as the partial US government shutdown is expected to drag on.
The nonprofit Capital Area Food Bank served more than 370 households during a free food distribution event in Landover, Maryland, on October 21, more than double the expected number. The food, distributed in collaboration with No Limits Outreach Ministries, required federal employees to show their ID cards to receive it. The prolonged U.S. government shutdown is putting pressure on community organizations that collect and distribute free food.
Save every penny
At the food distribution event, Summer Kerksick waited in line for two hours to receive a box of canned food and dry goods. Kerksick, a market research specialist at the US Department of Commerce's Rural Export Center , is among about 1.4 million federal employees who have been furloughed or are still working without pay due to the partial government shutdown. "My rent is due next week, so I'm happy to get something. I haven't gotten paid this month, so this free food is really important, really helpful. Now I have to save every penny," she said.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper