Federal workers flock to D.C. food bank as they miss first full paycheck of shutdown

Federal workers lined up outside of the Capital Area Food Bank after missing their first full paycheck since the now 24-day government shutdown began.

WASHINGTON — Federal workers lined up around the corner outside of the Capital Area Food Bank in Southeast Washington, D.C., on Friday after missing their first full paycheck since the now 24-day government shutdown began.

The food bank, set up specifically for federal workers, provided boxed meals, household goods and personal hygiene items to over 250 federal employees on Friday, according to Wil Stroman, a local pastor who is helping organize a food bank for federal workers every Friday until the shutdown ends.

Anthony Speight, who is furloughed for the first time in his 17 years as a federal employee, said that he “never thought” he would be in a position to ask the community for help.

“I used to be a grants administrator, administrator of grants across the federal government, giving assistance, and now I’m in line requesting assistance,” Speight told NBC News.

If federal workers aren’t getting paid, he said, members of Congress should have their paychecks withheld, too.