Desperate and financially devastated by the US shutdown, hundreds of thousands of people have turned to street food to make ends meet as the Trump administration spends tens of millions of dollars to equip the US Immigration Service (ICE).
With no paychecks and unable to support their families, many federal employees have been forced to turn to charities for free food parcels.
A CNN video feature shows huge lines for free food in Landover, Maryland.
🍞 Massive lines for free food as federal workers go unpaid during US shutdown
The video shows the situation in Landover, Maryland. Organizers of the food distribution said they were “overwhelmed” by the turnout.
According to CNN, about 1.4 million federal employees in the… pic.twitter.com/0WeC0aNb5Q
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 23, 2025
The event, organized by the nonprofit Capital Area Food Bank, provided essential items such as chicken, tuna, spaghetti, tomatoes, oats and milk.
Organizers of the food drive said they were “overwhelmed” by the turnout.
A federal employee told NBC that she felt frustrated at having to ask for help for the first time.
“I have never been in this predicament. I served 21 years in the army. I have been a federal employee for the past two years. The reason I wanted to be a federal employee was stability. This stability has been taken away from us,” he said characteristically.
According to CNN, about 1.4 million federal employees in the US are now either on unpaid leave or still working without pay because Congress has yet to reach a budget deal🇺🇸
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
