Food banks prepare for increased demand during government shutdown as hunger crisis concerns grow

ARLINGTON, Va. — As the federal government shutdown continues, food banks across the D.C. region are preparing for a wave of increased demand, not only from furloughed federal workers but also from the low-income families and seniors who depend on them the most.

Capital Area Food Bank CEO Radha Muthiah said the hunger crisis in the region is already "persisting and deepening," with 37% of the population now considered food insecure. The situation is worsening, she warned, due in part to layoffs and furloughs of government employees, many of whom are seeking food assistance for the first time.

“We’ve found that 41% of laid-off federal workers are now food insecure,” Muthiah said. “Missing a paycheck can quickly move someone from financial stability to financial strain.”

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