Capital Area Food Bank Prepares for Increased Demand Amid Ongoing Shutdown

Sat Nov 08 2025 19:24:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With the longest government shutdown in history, the Capital Area Food Bank expects a significant rise in requests for food assistance in Washington, D.C. as the holiday season approaches.

The Capital Area Food Bank is gearing up to provide an additional 8 million meals this year due to a combination of government shutdown effects and layoffs. This increase is necessary as many families face cutbacks in federal food aid and the loss of their incomes, with the D.C. area seeing a spike in unemployment and a rise in food pantry visits.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the longest government shutdown continues, the Capital Area Food Bank is bracing for an influx of families seeking assistance. With mass layoffs of government employees and cuts in federal food aid, the organization has increased meal preparations to provide an estimated 8 million more meals than initially planned for this budget year.

Radha Muthiah, CEO of the food bank, expressed concern about the unique challenges currently facing the D.C. area, worsened by recent events surrounding federal worker layoffs and law enforcement interventions. The city is being hit especially hard, leading to an increase in those needing assistance, she said.

The economic impact of the shutdown is significant, with D.C.'s unemployment rate hitting 6%, notably above the national average. Many businesses reliant on the spending power of federal employees are also reeling from losses, raising concerns of long-term financial repercussions as the economic effects unfold.

Local businesses are feeling the strain as federal workers face unpaid leave and diminished discretionary spending. Many restaurants and shops report steep declines in customer traffic due to the reduced workforce presence in the capital.

As the holidays approach and with several families already struggling, the food bank is intensifying its operations to respond to the expected surge in requests for food support. Muthiah emphasized the urgent need to assist families that are facing hardships that they had never faced before, drawing on savings just to meet basic needs.

The Capital Area Food Bank's efforts are crucial as many navigate this difficult period, underscoring the widening gap between household security and economic resilience amidst political disruptions.