The Food Bank for New York City on Tuesday hosted a pop-up food distribution in Queens for federal workers furloughed during the ongoing government shutdown, as demand for assistance continues to rise across the city.

Organized with help from Stop & Shop, the event was held outside the Corona SDA Church on 103rd Street, making it easy for government employees at nearby LaGuardia Airport — including longtime worker Walter Biggett — to attend.

“It’s very uncertain turns right now,” Biggett said. “It’s a little stressful never knowing when we’re going to get paid so things like this help a lot.”

What You Need To Know

The Food Bank for NYC hosted a pop-up food distribution Tuesday in Corona for furloughed federal workers

The shutdown has left thousands of New York federal employees without paychecks and increased demand for food assistance

SNAP benefits for 1.8 million New Yorkers could be suspended next month if the shutdown continues

The Food Bank says no charitable organization can make up for the loss of SNAP, which provides about 95 million meals monthly in NYC

Biggett, who has worked at LaGuardia for 19 years, said the uncertainty has made it difficult to stay focused on work.

“It’s tough to focus on your job while you’re also trying to focus on worrying about where your next meal is, mortgage, car payments,” he said.

The Food Bank for NYC said the event was part of its effort to help the estimated 46,000 federal employees and contractors across the city impacted by the shutdown.

“Food Bank for NYC is hosting a pop-up distribution specifically for federal workers who have been furloughed so we’ve been in touch with some of the unions,” said Nicole Hunt, director of public policy and advocacy for Food Bank for NYC.

“It is amazing that they are giving back to us because we try to give back to everyone as well. Being federal workers, especially some of us who are on the front line,” said one federal worker who showed up for the pantry.

Many government employees have already missed two paychecks, and the shutdown is now threatening to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits next month.

Nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP, which provides about 95 million meals per month in the city — 10 million more than all the meals the Food Bank distributed last year.

The organization says there’s no substitute for SNAP, noting that 50% of the food it distributes is federally funded. While its operations haven’t been affected yet, the federal government canceled several food programs earlier this year.

“I just got engaged and I have my wife, and everything, we’re trying to get our own home and everything — we’re saving up and it’s just a little setback but we’re trying,” Biggett said.