The World Central Kitchen is feeding furloughed federal workers and their families amid the ongoing government shutdown. CBS News' Natalie Brand has the latest.

Washington

World Central Kitchen has begun distributing meals to furloughed US federal employees and their families as the government shutdown continues. The organisation, typically known for responding to food shortages during wars or natural disasters, is operating a distribution center in Washington, DC, and expects to serve thousands of people daily for as long as needed.

This initiative follows a similar effort during a previous government shutdown, when the group provided approximately 100,000 meals. Federal workers interviewed described financial strain due to missed paychecks, with some struggling to cover mortgages, childcare, and other essential expenses. The situation has prompted some banks and credit unions to offer interest-free loans, though access can be difficult for those with imperfect credit.

World Central Kitchen feeds furloughed federal workers, their families

Well as the US government remains shut down and as food assistant benefits near a November 1 and the World Central Kitchen is Outdoing this in our communities. They're helping to feed furloughed federal employees and their families You know usually that were group that group responds to food shortages that are known during times of war or natural disasters But things are changing live now to a distribution center for World Central Kitchen and CBS News correspondent Natalie brand where that good work is being done. So what's the need there? Yeah, well, this is day one read so they are expecting thousands of people But they also say that they will continue to do this every day for as long as it's needed This is lunchtime You can see they are passing out bags of a warm meal to federal workers Those who are furloughed at home. We've seen these federal workers have to turn to food banks and Other forms of charity now World Central Kitchen has launched this effort This of course is the kitchen that is affiliated with celebrity chef Jose Andres And they actually did something similar the same effort in 2019 during what was then the record partial government shutdown and that year they provided around 100,000 meals to federal workers in Washington DC So the need is real, especially as this drags on for weeks without any sort of you know Breakthrough in the impasse. I asked one federal worker, you know When is the breaking point here and they said they think that that we have reached it that you know There are mortgages coming due Childcare payments car notes the list goes on and on I spoke to one Electrical engineer He's a civilian who works for the Department of Defense who has all of those payments that I listed and he says The federal government just needs to reopen. This is his message to lawmakers. Take a listen That's a problem when you can't find common ground on issues that matter and issues that are important And when you hold federal government employees hostage over that You know, it is a bad taste in your mouth so from my perspective You know clean CR get the government open get people paid and you know negotiate after that I Spoke to another federal worker off-camera who said that he just feels like a pawn and you know There's a number of banks and credit unions that have been offering different sorts of loans Without interest, but he says that it's actually hard to get some of those loans, especially if your credit isn't perfect So these federal workers are having to go through their budget and make real decisions Day to day. They are just hoping that there is some sort of progress in negotiations But right now they're not seeing it read Natalie brand It gets very real when you have to stand in a food assistance line. We appreciate your coverage Stay our best thoughts to everyone who is behind you living out the news

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