How Texans can get help during shutdown

From KERA News

With many federal workers in Texas going without a paycheck as the partial government shutdown continues, local organizations and agencies have put the call out for donations to help employees during this difficult time.

The North Texas Food Bank is working to identify and respond to the increased needs of residents. Those who need emergency food assistance can go to ntfb.org. “We are working with our partner agencies to ensure their current and future needs are met. However, a shutdown of this length has never occurred before,” said Dr. Valerie Hawthorne, government relations director for the North Texas Food Bank, in a statement. “We are calling on the support of our generous neighbors to help us continue to feed those impacted during these unpredictable times.”

Those who want to donate food are being asked to give healthy food items such as canned protein, low sodium soup, dried beans or grains and peanut butter. Monetary donations are also accepted via the website.

KERA News has reported that Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano plans to continue to distribute food to federal workers until the government reopens. 

The Central Texas Food Bank, which says it is under strain due to the increased demand, is asking for monetary donations. As KUT reported last week, food banks in the region are preparing for an “unprecedented” number of requests during the shutdown. 

“It sounds bad, but we’ll sleep late, because then we don’t eat breakfast,” said Kevin Drapela, an IRS employee who lives in Taylor. “That way we eat two meals instead of three.”

For a complete list of organizations offering help, visit KERA.org.

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