MACON, Ga. — Boxes are filling up with food and making their way into the homes of government workers. The Middle Georgia Food Bank is helping furloughed workers who haven't been paid in several weeks put food on the table.
"Federal workers are struggling right now. We've got a chance to talk to many of them and they're concerned just about the basic needs and how they're going to survive over these next few weeks," says Rodney Mullins with Middle Georgia Food Bank.
Any federal government worker who needs food can reach out to the food bank. They are helping workers in all 24 counties throughout Central Georgia.
Mullins says many are worrying about the basic necessities. "'Rodney, we're concerned how we can even pay for gas to go to work. We're trying to make decisions between do we need gas or food, or should we pay for our electric bill,' and this is outstanding to us."
Mobile food pantries will be available in all counties and the Macon headquarters here will also distribute food. The food bank paired up with other organizations to help. One of them is Macon's Loaves and Fishes Ministry.
"People who have jobs, who have bumps in the road, and we're there. We help them get over those bumps, and we may never see them again," says the Director of Loaves and Fishes Ministry, Judy Sexton.
Sexton says many of the furloughed workers have never had to seek help with groceries.
"Food is so difficult, you just can't stretch things enough. It's hard to ask for help especially the first time you have to do it."
While the shutdown may be temporarily lifted, the food bank says they are here to help as long as people need it.
Middle Georgia Food Bank says they are need of volunteers to help pack boxes to give out to the furloughed workers.