‘We’ll still continue to serve’: Many federal employees turn to volunteering during shutdown

Sentinel

During the longest government shutdown in history, furloughed federal employees are facing financial hardship but are channeling their public service spirit into volunteering. Over 60 workers participated in at least 10 "Service Through Shutdown" projects nationwide on Oct. 24, aiding food pantries in Los Angeles, a community center in Colorado, and food access nonprofits in Washington, D.C., organized via informal networks to maintain connections and service "muscles." Projects will continue rolling basis.

Federal groups like 27 UNIHTED and wellfed collected over 1,000 pounds of food for D.C.-area banks during Oct. 18 and 30 protests at NIH and USDA, despite the Trump administration's initial refusal to tap SNAP contingency funds (later partially reversed by court order). Taproot reports increased volunteering by former feds.

Simultaneously, nonprofits are supporting furloughed workers: wellfed and Former Gov expanded free meals, personal finance workshops, mental health sessions, and networking; a crowdsourced spreadsheet and MyFEDBenefits map list resources; FEEA paused but expects 7,000 $150 grants.

Ghost

Thank you for sharing this inspiring article excerpt—it's a powerful reminder of the resilience and civic dedication of federal employees during tough times. The "Service Through Shutdown" initiatives and support from groups like wellfed, UNIHTED, and FEEA highlight how communities step up when government resources are strained. It's heartening to see volunteering not just filling gaps but also sustaining morale and connections.

If you'd like me to expand on this (e.g., a summary, related historical context from past shutdowns, or tips for similar volunteering efforts), just let me know!