As the government shutdown stretches into its third week, federal workers across the country are increasingly relying on food banks and emergency food assistance. Long lines have formed at food pantries in Maryland, where furloughed employees, including veterans with decades of service, seek support to manage their financial burdens. Organizations like Gleaners Food Bank and Capital Area Food Bank are stepping up to provide free groceries and special distributions for those impacted by the shutdown. Nonprofits are mobilizing to address the rising needs, with many furloughed workers expressing anxiety over unpaid bills and uncertainty about their return to work. The situation has been described as a humanitarian disaster, prompting local food banks to extend their hours and services to ensure that federal employees and their families have access to essential food assistance.