\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAs the federal government shutdown enters its 30th day with no end in sight, a Sacramento family said the loss of a paycheck has pushed them to the brink.\u201cWhen is our suffering going to be enough? What is it going to take? People are out here trying to advocate for their families. I\u2019m trying to advocate for my family,\u201d said Marissa Blevins.Cameron Blevins, a civilian employee at Travis Air Force Base, said he has been furloughed and hasn\u2019t received a paycheck in a month. \u201cIt\u2019s causing stress with not only myself, but the family as well,\u201d Cameron said. \u201cIt\u2019s put a toll on our relationship.\u201dThe Navy veteran said his only current income is a housing stipend from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which he said is not enough to support his family of six. \u201cPinch pennies, you can say \u2014 what groceries are we buying, or is it going to go to my wife\u2019s car for gas \u2014 and make sure the kids have what they need,\u201d said Cameron.Marissa told KCRA 3 that the couple is trying to shield their children from the uncertainty. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to make life as normal as possible right now. They just think Dad\u2019s on vacation. They don\u2019t know that Dad hasn\u2019t received a paycheck,\u201d she said, adding the family may soon need to visit a food bank. \u201cYou don\u2019t want your kids to see that you\u2019re having to ask for help.\u201dIt’s stories from families like the Blevins that have many local businesses stepping in to help those affected by the shutdown. Susan Stewart, owner of Strapping, a gift shop in Sacramento\u2019s Oak Park, said the store is accepting donations to build a food pantry. \u201cWhen our governments turn their back on us, the best thing you can do is build community,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cWe can\u2019t live in a country that\u2019s this wealthy and have people starving. It\u2019s just not OK at all.\u201dThe store has seen numerous people come in since it started the food pantry this week. Stewart says they’re accepting donations, and you can contact them by clicking here. While some businesses are helping families, for now, the Blevins say they are relying on faith and exploring options to get by until paychecks resume. \u201cEven through hard times, there\u2019s still hope,\u201d Marissa said. \u201cThere\u2019s still our faith that we can count on.\u201dNeed assistance? Here are resources for food banks in Northern California.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tSACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
As the federal government shutdown enters its 30th day with no end in sight, a Sacramento family said the loss of a paycheck has pushed them to the brink.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen is our suffering going to be enough? What is it going to take? People are out here trying to advocate for their families. I\u2019m trying to advocate for my family,\u201d said Marissa Blevins.<\/p>\n
Cameron Blevins, a civilian employee at Travis Air Force Base, said he has been furloughed and hasn\u2019t received a paycheck in a month. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s causing stress with not only myself, but the family as well,\u201d Cameron said. \u201cIt\u2019s put a toll on our relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Navy veteran said his only current income is a housing stipend from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which he said is not enough to support his family of six. <\/p>\n
\u201cPinch pennies, you can say \u2014 what groceries are we buying, or is it going to go to my wife\u2019s car for gas \u2014 and make sure the kids have what they need,\u201d said Cameron.<\/p>\n
Marissa told KCRA 3 that the couple is trying to shield their children from the uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to make life as normal as possible right now. They just think Dad\u2019s on vacation. They don\u2019t know that Dad hasn\u2019t received a paycheck,\u201d she said, adding the family may soon need to visit a food bank. \u201cYou don\u2019t want your kids to see that you\u2019re having to ask for help.\u201d<\/p>\n
It’s stories from families like the Blevins that have many local businesses stepping in to help those affected by the shutdown. <\/p>\n
Susan Stewart, owner of Strapping, a gift shop in Sacramento\u2019s Oak Park, said the store is accepting donations to build a food pantry. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen our governments turn their back on us, the best thing you can do is build community,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cWe can\u2019t live in a country that\u2019s this wealthy and have people starving. It\u2019s just not OK at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
The store has seen numerous people come in since it started the food pantry this week. Stewart says they’re accepting donations, and you can contact them by clicking here.<\/a> <\/p>\n While some businesses are helping families, for now, the Blevins say they are relying on faith and exploring options to get by until paychecks resume. <\/p>\n \u201cEven through hard times, there\u2019s still hope,\u201d Marissa said. \u201cThere\u2019s still our faith that we can count on.\u201d<\/p>\n Need assistance? Here are resources for food banks in Northern California<\/a>.<\/p>\n See more coverage of top California stories here<\/a> | Download our app<\/a> | Subscribe to our morning newsletter<\/a> | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t