NORFOLK, Va. — Portsmouth-based nonprofit Mercy Chefs set up a food distribution site at Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday to help military personnel and furloughed federal workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

Boxes may look simple, but inside each one is enough food to make 50 meals: a lifeline for families navigating pay delays and financial uncertainty. Mercy Chefs partnered with Fleet and Family Services and other military support groups to hand out 700 grocery boxes filled with canned goods, pasta, and recipe guides.

“We’re really trying to be intentional, but the need is so great we’re working to ramp up,” said Ann LeBlanc, president and co-founder of Mercy Chefs.

LeBlanc said seeing the line of cars before the event began showed just how many families are struggl

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