WASHINGTON — The government shutdown began on Oct. 1, and it has had a major effect on government workers throughout the United States. If you or a loved one has been impacted by the recent shutdown, then there are a few essential resources those impacted should know about, including food pantries, assistance funds, and a list of helpful resources from Maryland.gov. If you know of additional resources that could help others during the shutdown, please email them to news@thebaynet.com or share them in the comments.
What Does The Government Shutdown Mean For Federal Workers?
During a government shutdown, some federal employees continue on as normal, while others are furloughed. Furloughed workers usually take a temporary leave of absence without pay, increasing the chance of financial instability. Throughout the shutdown, federal workers may need to seek alternative employment or assistance.
Below, you’ll find resources that can help impacted federal employees secure food, utility assistance, or emergency loans during the government shutdown.
Governor Wes Moore’s Message & Assistance For Marylanders
On Oct. 1, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore [D] announced a variety of actions to help Marylanders impacted by the shutdown. The resources on Maryland.gov primarily pertain to housing, utilities, food, and insurance. If you need assistance in one or more of the categories above, then Maryland’s list of resources for government workers is a helpful guide.
The Calvert County website has also posted a compilation of useful resources for federal employees affected by the temporary shutdown.
Food Assistance In Southern Maryland
The Southern Maryland Food Connection hosts a calendar on its website that lists upcoming food distribution events around Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. The calendar also offers a map that displays where each distribution center is located.
List of Food Pantries In Southern Maryland
If you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity, then there are plenty of food banks around Southern Maryland that offer essential items to individuals and families. The list below contains food banks within or around the southern counties of Maryland:
- Southern Maryland Food Bank – 22A Irongate Drive, Waldorf, MD 20602
- Plentiful Pantry at Christ Church La Plata – 112 Charles St., La Plata, MD 20646
- Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry – 6021 Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639
- Solomons Mission Center – 14454 Solomons Island Road S, Solomons, MD 20688
- Bayside Baptist Food Pantry – 3009 Chesapeake Beach Road, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
- Ladies of Charity Food Pantry – 8823 Dayton Ave., North Beach, MD 20732
- Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry – 100 Jibsail Drive, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
- St. John Vianney Interfaith Food Pantry – Holy Family Lane, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
- St. Mary’s Helping Hands, Inc. – 28291 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 (in front of Immaculate Conception Church)
- Trinity Care Pantry – 46707 S. Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Anne Arundel County Food Bank – 120 Marbury Drive, Crownsville, MD 21032
- UMD Campus Pantry – 7093 Preinkert Drive, Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742
Financial & Utilities Assistance During The Shutdown
These resources are available to certain government workers during the 2025 shutdown.
MetCom Assistance For Bills & Payments
The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) has announced temporary relief options for residents who can’t currently pay their utility bills, and they can help reconnect your services if necessary, too. If you could use assistance during the shutdown, then here’s a breakdown of everything offered by MetCom.
FEEA — Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund
Full-time federal employees who are citizens can apply for FEEA’s Shutdown Grants or Emergency Hardship Loan programs, which aim to improve stability for workers throughout the remainder of the shutdown.
The FEEA website also lists national and regional resources, like food banks and shutdown information. Here’s a quick explanation of FEEA’s programs, according to their website:
“FEEA has both an Emergency Hardship Loan program and Shutdown Grants available for qualifying full-time federal civilian employees. It is important to note the differences between the two programs, notably:
- The Emergency Hardship Loan program does not cover pay loss during a government shutdown.
- The Shutdown Grant application is for direct-hire, civilian federal employees who are furloughed or working in excepted status, and whose current federal salary is $59,999 or less, including any locality pay ($75,000 or less for active employee NARFE members).”
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Seriously, he’s past date… impeach
Federal government employees are very well off, there is also no help from Maryland for them because spend Moore put Maryland in the negative