Food giveaway for federal workers impacted by government shutdown in Brooklyn
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (WABC) -- In Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday, the Food Bank for New York city hosted an emergency food distribution event to help federal workers and their families struggling to make ends meet.
Federal workers have missed their second full paycheck amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The Food Bank for New York City teamed up with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to help workers impacted by the shutdown.
It was the Food Bank for NYC's third emergency food distribution for federal workers.
"People are telling us they haven't done anything wrong and they are being punished for political instability, and we want to see the government open, running, back up," said Zac Hall with the Food Bank for New York City.
Some federal employees who work for the Social Security Administration and the IRS said they would have shared their story, but said their bosses told them - no interviews with the media.
Reynoso explained why some federal workers might be reluctant to pick up a food handout.
"I think that there is a level of shame that some of these workers might have that they would have to ever come to a food bank for assistance," Reynoso said.
For federal workers, reopening the government would restore their income, ease their financial worries and eliminate any shame that comes with sudden food insecurity.
Other events were held in Queens and at JFK Airport.
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