Military Families Turn to Food Assistance Amid Shutdown Concerns

As concerns grow over potential financial impacts from the recent government shutdown, military families are increasingly relying on food assistance programs. On Thursday, staff members at the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) food pantry near Fort Hood, Texas, witnessed an unprecedented demand, with a line of families stretching around the building before the doors opened at 6:30 a.m.

According to Dorene Ocamb, ASYMCA’s chief brand and development officer, the organization experienced a 34% increase in attendance compared to previous weeks. “We expected an increase, but didn’t quite expect this,” Ocamb stated, highlighting the significant rise in families seeking support during this uncertain time.

Government Shutdown Raises Anxiety Among Service Members

The government shutdown commenced at 12:01 a.m. on October 4, 2023. Although troops received their pay on October 1, anxiety among military families remains high. “There’s a lot of anticipatory anxiety around potentially losing a paycheck,” Ocamb noted. Families are actively seeking assistance in anticipation of possible disruptions to their finances, especially concerning the upcoming October 15 paycheck.

Ocamb encourages military families to take advantage of available resources. “My message to any military family today is: Go out and seek out food pantry help. It may help alleviate a line item in their budget,” she advised, emphasizing that food assistance can free up funds for critical expenses such as rent and mortgage payments.

Food Assistance Programs Expand Amid Increased Demand

Food distributions in Killeen occur at various locations on Thursdays and Saturdays. Typically, supplies run out by early afternoon, but on Thursday, the pantry exhausted its resources by 10 a.m. Access to the distribution is prioritized for active-duty families until 10 a.m., while veteran families can participate afterward. “Food is one of those basic needs. If you show up and need food, we’re going to serve you,” Ocamb affirmed.

Families are permitted to select up to 25 pounds of food, which includes options for frozen proteins and fresh produce. The organization aims to minimize waste by allowing families to choose their items. Despite not regularly stocking diapers, ASYMCA provided them during this distribution to support families with young children.

In response to the heightened need, other ASYMCA locations are working to expand their food assistance efforts. For instance, the San Diego branch is transitioning from bi-monthly distributions to a weekly schedule. Additionally, installations such as Norfolk, Virginia, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska are enhancing their food supply capabilities to better serve local military families.

With a total of 22 food distribution locations across the United States, including two in Killeen, ASYMCA plays a crucial role in supporting military families. For those without a nearby branch, Ocamb recommends using FoodFinder.us to locate food pantries by ZIP code.

In addition to food assistance, ASYMCA is offering parents the option to defer child care payments at their child development centers should military pay be affected by the shutdown. Payments will be collected once regular pay is restored, providing further financial relief to families during this challenging period.