Federal workers in St. Louis turn to food banks and gig work to make ends meet

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - On day 35 of a record-tying government shutdown, some federal workers in the St. Louis area are turning to food banks and gig work just to get by.

Roughly 1.4 million federal civilian employees are affected nationwide, with about 730,000 working without pay and another 670,000 furloughed, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. About 25,000 work in the St. Louis area.

In past shutdowns, Congress has approved back pay once the government reopens, which is required by law, but this time, there is lingering uncertainty after President Trump suggested some furloughed workers might not be paid.

One federal employee who works in downtown St. Louis in the Robert A. Young Federal Building agreed to speak anonymously, fearing retaliation. They are a medical