By Chianti Marks and Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Intern, AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
While the Trump administration and lawmakers in Congress played political brinkmanship over the budget, leaving the well-being of millions hanging in the balance, organizations, local government agencies and corporations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., have been offering support to furloughed federal workers and residents impacted by food and housing insecurity.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott said the city has invested $4.68 million to assist residents and federal workers. The funding will cover costs related to housing, child care and food.
“Once again, working people in our city and across the country are paying the price of Trump and Republicans’ incompetence,” said Scott in a statement at the time. “We’re talking about folks having their food, housing, child care, and health care ripped away from them. While we don’t have the funds to fill every gap left by the shutdown, we’re going to do everything we can to support our residents.”
Charm City nonprofits also stepped into the breach–some of them having provided support services for those in need even before the government shutdown.
The Baltimore Hunger Project provides weekend food bags to students at partner schools in Baltimore City every Friday. “Elementary school students receive a weekend food bag, which contains four servings of protein, cereal, shelf-stable milk, 100 percent fruit juice, applesauce, fruit snacks, granola bars and plastic cutlery,” according to information released by the organization.
Businesses – such as restaurants – also pitched in to help.
Ekiben, a restaurant that sells a hybrid of Asian and Ethiopian cuisines, has been offering furloughed federal employees a free meal “no questions asked” at any of their locations in Baltimore. Federal workers can order in person with their government ID.
Their efforts have led them to work with World Central Kitchen to make and pack 500 meals a day for impacted federal workers, which are distributed daily from 11a.m-2 p.m. Community members interested in donating can do so online, or in person by simply telling the cashier they would like to pay for a federal worker’s meal.
Watersong, a Latin and Chinese fusion restaurant in Baltimore, was inspired by Ekiben to also provide free food to federal workers with a valid government ID. Colin Jiang, the owner of the restaurant, said he noticed regular customers missing, and people told him they had been laid off.
Liang says that on average 6-10 people come over every day for a free meal. “I try to welcome them and let them know it’s OK,” he said. “Things happen. As a restaurant owner I cannot do that much. I’m not a politician; I’m just a small business owner trying to help people in my own way.”
In Washington, D.C., the Federal Worker Solidarity Fund, hosted by the Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council, has been providing a one-time $500 emergency grant to federal workers who have been furloughed or fired. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible and should specify “Federal Workers Solidarity” in the designated line.
“Federal workers dedicate their lives to our communities — now is the time to give back to help them,” the organization said.
For more food and housing assistance resources, please see the list below:
Food Assistance
BALTIMORE:
–Baltimore residents can receive food assistance from several locations without showing proof of employment or SNAP/WIC eligibility.
–The Maryland Food Bank operates multiple sites across the city with varying hours.
–The Food Project distributes food in Southwest Baltimore on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Phone (410-737-8282)
–The Home-Delivered Food Box Program from the Baltimore City Health Department delivers grocery boxes filled with nonperishable food directly to eligible residents’ doorsteps. Phone (410-396-2276)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
–In Washington, D.C., the Capital Area Food Bank is providing free groceries — including fresh produce and shelf-stable items — to federal employees who present government ID at pop-up locations. Phone (202-644-9800)
–The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) are also offering free lunches for children 18 and under at designated recreation centers every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. No ID or application is required.
–Recreation Centers Offering Lunches:
- Ward 1: Rita Bright
- Ward 4: Emery
- Ward 5: Harry Thomas, Joseph Cole
- Ward 6: Kennedy, King Greenleaf, Rosedale
- Ward 7: Benning Park, Benning Stoddert, Fort Davis, Hillcrest
- Ward 8: Bald Eagle, Barry Farm
Housing and Utility Assistance
BALTIMORE:
–The Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS) is offering rental assistance. “Federal employees and contractors whose primary residence is a rental can apply to have their October and November rent covered,” the mayor’s office said. “Baltimore City residents whose primary residence is in federally subsidized housing can apply to have their November rent covered.”
–The Community Action Partnership (CAP) centers throughout Baltimore City are also helping residents with rent, energy and water bills.
- Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP): Provides grants to help with home heating bills. Apply online or request a paper application. Phone: (800) 332-6347.
- Electric Universal Service Program: Offers assistance with electric bills.
- Water4All: Supports households with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Call (410) 396-5555 or visit a CAP Center.
Internet and phone bill assistance
Federal workers can call Comcast Xfinity at 1-800-XFINITY to request assistance related to the shutdown. Verizon and AT&T encourage affected customers to visit their websites to set up payment plans.
Restaurants
BALTIMORE:
Arepi, a restaurant in Fells Point, is offering free arepas to furloughed federal workers who show government ID. “At Arepi, we know what it means to struggle — to keep going when times get hard,” the restaurant said in a statement on Instagram. “Coming from a country that faced its share of challenges, we’ve learned that community and solidarity are what keep us standing.”
WASHINGTON, D.C.:
World Central Kitchen is serving weekday lunches to furloughed workers and their families in the District at the following pop-up sites:
- Washington Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza (in front of National Archives): 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Residents can visit baltimorecity.gov for full listings of food, housing and utility relief programs. Federal workers seeking emergency assistance in D.C. can learn more at communityservicesagency.org.