ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s been more than two weeks since the federal government shutdown began, and across Central Florida, many federal employees are feeling the impact.

Even though some military members and Transportation Security Administration workers have received partial paychecks, others remain without a full one — leaving local food banks to fill the gap.

What You Need To Know

The government shutdown has entered its third week, leaving many Central Florida federal employees without full paychecks

North Brevard Church of Christ in Titusville reports a growing number of families seeking food assistance

Second Harvest Food Bank is preparing for increased demand and working with local partners to distribute food

Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington is hosting a holiday food distribution on Oct. 25 in Kissimmee.

At North Brevard Church of Christ in Titusville, Senior Minister Matthew Robinson said volunteers spend their mornings stocking shelves and handing out bags of food twice a month when their pantry opens.

“Food pantry has been part of the church for over 20 years,” Robinson said.

The need has grown in recent weeks, he said.

“We right now currently feed about 200 to 300 families every time we open the doors,” Robinson said.

More new faces are showing up each time the pantry opens — families who were already struggling to make ends meet before the shutdown even began, Robinson said.

“The economy has gotten to a place where people are struggling a bit more,” Robinson said.

The Titusville pantry receives some of its food from Second Harvest Food Bank, which is also bracing for an uptick in need as the shutdown continues.

“So many families, if they miss just one paycheck, they’re going to have to search for assistance, whether it be for housing assistance or for food assistance,” said Stephanie Palacios, who works with Second Harvest. “We’re seeing an influx of people already doing that.”

Palacios said the organization has been through this before, during the 2018–19 shutdown that lasted more than a month, and the organization is already working with local partners to make sure food is ready for distribution this time around.

“Second Harvest Food Bank is always ready to respond to disasters of any kind,” Palacios said. “Whether it’s a man-made disaster or a weather disaster. So, we are anticipating families, military families and civilian families that may have missed a paycheck.”

With the holidays approaching, food bank leaders said the need could continue to grow if the shutdown drags on.

“We always are prepared for more than we serve,” Robinson said.

In Osceola County, officials are also stepping up to ease the burden.

Commissioner Brandon Arrington is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to host a holiday food distribution event, offering 600 free meal packages to families in need. The event will take place Oct. 25 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Kissimmee.