During this government shutdown, those affected are at the front of our minds – and we know you share in this care and concern, too. The current shutdown impacts many of us and our neighbors – from furloughed federal workers waiting for paychecks to hungry families worrying that the help they need to purchase food may not be there next month. Several resources are available to assist those in need. We will continue to update this article as we learn of additional resources.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, which serves 27 central Pennsylvania counties,  announced that it will begin Federal Shutdown Food Assistance services effective Tuesday, January 15.  Employees and their families that are missing paychecks due to the federal shutdown and are in need of food will be eligible. Learn more.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is funded into May despite the government shutdown, although effects are already being felt. Few Pennsylvanians have probably ever heard of the federally funded Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). It’s one of those programs you don’t really know about until you need it. But in Pennsylvania, 36,200 rely on it and even more need it, as there are more than 3,800 seniors on the waiting list at any given time. Learn more.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)  previously reported that it only had enough leftover money to pay for January’s benefits, and its reserve funds would not cover total projected costs for February. But recently, the USDA announced that is has a plan to ensure low-income Americans have access to the nutrition they need by providing full benefits for participants SNAP through February. Learn more.

ELCA World Hunger and the MEANS Database have put together a short, practical list of things to consider and do to help our neighbors. Read and share. But most importantly, remember all our neighbors facing the immediate effects of financial uncertainty during this critical time. Learn about Five Ways to Walk Together During the Shutdown.