Employees considered ‘non-essential’ at Grand Canyon National Park have been furloughed amid the federal government shutdown.

The last one, six years ago, left staff without pay for close to a month.

Now, social services in Grand Canyon Village are gearing up for increased need as hundreds of park employees face uncertainty.

Heather Lapre moves empty milk crates in the two-room Grand Canyon Food Pantry on the first day of the shutdown.

“I’ll have all this filled up by tonight, but I’ve got diapers and feminine hygiene products,” Lapre says, gesturing towards the shelves. “I have limits on things that are limited, and I like to always keep my produce and bread as unlimited as possible.”

For 11 months, Lapre has been the pantry's only full-time employee, coordinating volunteers, taking

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