Federal Shutdown: Our Response

We’re grateful to the many New Yorkers who joined us to help our neighbors in need during the longest government shutdown in history from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Thanks to your support:

• We packed nearly 2,500 bags of produce and non-perishable food, including squash, potatoes, canned tomatoes, pork and beans, and pasta at our Food Rescue Facility, which we distributed to TSA workers at LaGuardia Airport and other federal workers affected by the shutdown.
• We delivered produce and nonperishable food to Holding Hands, an agency in Brooklyn, which they distributed to TSA employees who work at JFK Airport.
• We distributed additional fresh produce directly to three of our partner agencies who are seeing an increased need due to the shutdown – Christian Pentecostal Church and Stapleton UAME Church in Staten Island and Masbia in Queens.
• We are welcoming federal workers to all nine of our Mobile Markets across the city, which remain open to anyone who needs help. Simply show your federal ID, and you will be able to receive fresh produce for free.

Though the shutdown is over, we know that the need across the city remains high. Many agencies in our network have reported that they are seeing increased visits. We have mobilized to respond to the need, and we’re working hard to deliver more food to our agency partners across the city.

We encourage anyone in need of food to visit food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community food programs in their neighborhood. You can search for the program nearest to where you are by visiting foodhelp.nyc.

It’s truly inspiring to see our city come together this way, but we know there is much more to do. The recent government shutdown only highlighted what we see and hear every day – too many of our neighbors are just one paycheck or one unexpected medical bill away from not being able to put food on their tables.

Our trucks will continue to be on the road, seven days a week, to get food to those impacted by the shutdown, as well as to the nearly 1.2 million New Yorkers who rely on us year-round to feed themselves and their families.