FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Hundreds of federal workers lined the parking lot of The Fresno Center on Saturday in hopes of getting food to feed their families.
“A lot of them are struggling. It’s not an opportunity, but it’s a must do for our community,” President and CEO of The Fresno Center, Pao Yang, explained.
Federal employees across the Central Valley were forced to turn to food banks or giveaways like this one for help as they were furloughed or working without pay amid the longest government shutdown in history.
“What can you say? Folks are hungry 24/7, especially folks that have not been paid for 40 days. I don’t know how i would survive 40 days,” Yang said.
Jason Sisk is one of those federal workers who has seen the need firsthand.
“It’s been rough,” Sisk stated. “Some were put out of work and haven’t gotten their unemployment paycheck.”
In the rain Saturday, volunteers gave federal employees chicken, eggs, fruit and more from the Central California Food Bank.
“The need has been extremely great. 400% increase in calls to the food bank day in and day out,” co-CEO of the Central California Food Bank, Natalie Caples said.
That need still remains even though the government is back open.
“There’s going to be that gap between when the government opens and when folk are actually seeing those benefits and paychecks dispersed,” Fresno city councilmember Nelson Esparza stated at the giveaway. “I think what we’re seeing here is a response to that.”
The line of cars waiting for food was constant until supplies ran out.
“The good news is that 500 families here will have a good meal,” Congressman Jim Costa said at the event.
Costa added that paychecks for federal workers should be in the mail by next Tuesday with hopes everyone receives pay before Thanksgiving.
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