Name: Food banks see uptick in need during government shutdown
Uploaded: 2025-10-25T13:32:29.139Z
Duration: 3 min 55 s
Description: Food banks in the United States are seeing an increase in people seeking assistance, particularly among federal workers and those dependent on government resources, due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Food banks in the United States are seeing an increase in people seeking assistance, particularly among federal workers and those dependent on government resources, due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Food banks in the United States are seeing an increase in people seeking assistance, particularly among federal workers and those dependent on government resources, due to the ongoing government shutdown. Karen Rashloff, Chief Philanthropic Officer at Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, noted that demand was already at its highest level before the shutdown, and the current situation has added further pressure.

While some food banks, such as Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, have managed to keep up with demand so far, there are concerns about maintaining this level of support if the shutdown continues. Rashloff emphasized the importance of community donations, volunteerism, and advocacy to help food banks continue their work during this challenging period.

Food banks see uptick in need during government shutdown

Here to talk about that part of the story is Karen Rashloff is the Chief Philanthropic Officer at Blue Ridge Area Food Bank with several locations across the state. Good morning Karen, great to have you. Good morning, thank you for asking me to be here. You bet. We wanted you to be here because we wanted to hear from people like you who actually see people in need on a daily basis. Are you seeing an uptick in the foot traffic, people needing you know basic necessities on a daily basis? Yes, we certainly are. Food banks and food pantries work together to get food to tens of thousands of people and I'm here representing food bankers across the country. I'm sure this is happening in many places and what we're doing is sort of bracing for the next wave. It's hard to imagine how big that's going to be right now but we are starting to see an uptick especially among federal workers of course and then others who are depending on funding and resources from the federal government to make ends meet. Yeah, wow and this is right before the holidays of course so do you see any issues with keeping your shelves stocked given the timing of all of this? At our food bank we've been able to keep up with demand. We have the resources, financial and food right now to meet the need. The biggest questions for us is how will we maintain this for long going forward? It's hard to anticipate. The need was already very high before the government shut down, much higher than it has been actually. We've been in business 44 years in our part of Virginia and it's the highest it's ever been and so now this is an added pressure on top of what was already huge demand. You know hunger is a non-partisan issue and I know in the past I've organized groups to actually show up early in the morning at various food banks to help pack the boxes and as you describe that goes out to many different places but what other actions and things that Americans can do to help out in this particular time and situation? I appreciate that question so much. We are a charitable network. We rely on donations from our community of both food and money to keep the trucks rolling, to keep the food flowing, to move the food through our communities in need. So money and of course food donations are very welcome. Also people can raise their voice and speak to their elected officials about this issue. That's a big help and I would not overlook volunteerism. We really rely on, we are efficient in what we do across this network. It's extraordinary how many Americans are involved in the volunteer aspect of this work and honestly the volunteers in food banking are starting to age. We need younger people to get involved too and take this on as their cause. We could use hands across the country. It was a lot of joy in packing the boxes and then putting the tape on it and trying to, if it's the second time, trying to beat the last box count. So it was actually energizing knowing that you're doing good for your fellow American. Every box that's packed and every bag, it's going to a family. You are meeting a need today and that's what we remind people that the work that we do and all of the people who help us with this work, we are making a difference every day. Karen, we're showing your site here. Can you give us one last time how we can find you? Our website is at brafb.org, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and we cover 25 counties in central and western Virginia. But wherever anyone's watching, you have a food bank near you that can use the same help that we can. Karen Roushloff, thank you so much. It's such great work you're doing. Appreciate it. Thank you so much.

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