The Situation:  Thousands of people in our 85-county service area have been impacted by the federal government shutdown. This includes federal employees, contractors who worked for the federal government, SNAP recipients and local businesses who do business with the federal government.

Many of these people may be or have already been forced to make tough decisions between paying the rent/mortgage, paying utilities and other bills and buying food. With the announcement today that the shutdown has temporarily ended, that is a big relief for families affected. However many have immediate food needs now and are unsure of when back pay will be issued.

How is Kansas Food Bank Helping?  Anyone impacted by the government shutdown can visit one of Kansas Food Bank’s network of partner agencies. Our network of food pantries, United Methodist Open Door, Catholic Charities Our Daily Bread, First MCC Table of Hope, Salvation Army, His Helping Hands and more are ready to provide assistance as well and many are expanding guidelines to receive assistance in order to accommodate requests from those impacted by the shutdown. This network also includes food kitchens that provide hot meals onsite such as the Lord’s Diner.

To access dates and locations for any of these food assistance sites, please click here:  2019-01-25_GovShutdownHelpAgencies.

The Kansas Food Bank has provided food boxes for Wichita Airport Authority. There are an estimated 200 Federal employees working at the airport. This includes TSA, Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Weather Service. Wichita Airport Authority reached out to the Kansas Food Bank asking for help before President Trump made his announcement temporarily ending the shutdown. They are collecting food and hygiene items for airport workers affected by missing their second paycheck in a row. Valerie Wise, Air Service Development and Marketing Manager, said they will monitor when donations are no longer needed.

As always the Kansas Food Bank is ready to assist in any crisis.