Amid the Shutdown Void, Black Churches Filled Empty Stomachs

by Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware

As the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history dragged on from October 1 into November — and federal food assistance programs slowly ran out of money — news reports about hunger in America grew more urgent. And, as usual, Black America, which disproportionately depends on government-funded, anti-hunger programs, was hit hardest.

But for the past 40 days, while the government was closed and Democratic and Republican lawmakers were locked in stalemate, destitute individuals and working families struggling to put food on the table could seek help from a community mainstay: the Black church.

From Houston to Chicago and New York City to Atlanta, Black clergy and houses of worship used their connections, resources, and congregations to help feed hungry