GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – As the partial government shutdown continues with no end in sight a lot of furloughed federal employees are feeling the financial pinch.
One local organization is doing their part to ensure those individuals have their most basic needs taken care of, such as food on the table.
The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay is opening their food pantry to furloughed employees and their families so they can take home free non-perishable items, among other things.
“We do get some bread and bananas and different types of things like that,” says Captain Matthew O’Neil, with the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay.
He says it’s easy for anyone interested in the service to take part. Just show up in person at their location at 626 Union Court with a few documents handy.
“They need to bring proof of residency for Green Bay, their government I.D.,” he explains. “Obviously that’ll help us determine that they are one that is affected by the shutdown.”
This extension of services means that the Salvation Army is going through more donated food than ever.
Because of that, they could use increased support from the community to ensure that things run smoothly as long as the shutdown lasts.
“It also puts a little hurt on the Salvation Army financially,” he says. “Food donated-wise, you know we give out the food that’s donated to us.”
That means they could use even more donations of non-perishable food items and monetary contributions to the organization.
Captain O’Neil says they want to be available to help as long as furloughed workers continue to find themselves in tricky financial situations.
“The government shutdown is affecting a lot of our neighbors and we’re geared up to help,” he says.
Beyond food, the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay also strives to offer other services to furloughed workers and their families.
“We are geared up to help, whether it be guiding them in the right direction for mortgage assistance, apartment stuff, anything like that,” explains Captain O’Neil. “If we don’t have it, we’re able to guide and direct people in the right direction.”
They do recommend calling ahead though, to ensure that you bring with the correct paperwork.
“If for instance, they need additional help beyond the box of food or those types of things, it’s helpful for them to call to make sure they got all the right documentation,” says Captain O’Neil.
