Interfaith Assistance Ministry is extending its food pantry and basic emergency services to Henderson County federal government employees impacted by the partial government shutdown, the local nonprofit announced Tuesday.
Affected workers will need to provide their federal government ID to receive food from the pantry.
Several government workers are going without pay as the partial government shutdown, now the longest in history, approaches its fourth week with no end in sight. Nonprofit agencies across the country, like IAM, are stepping up to make sure families do not have to go without basic necessities.
The lack of a paycheck is putting may federal employees in dire financial situations, according to a news release from IAM.
“Interfaith Assistance Ministry wants to assist our struggling residents who work for the federal government during this unprecedented time of need,” Executive Director Elizabeth Moss stated in the release. “Please share this information with any federal employees you may know. We will give them a hand-up to help them survive this financial crisis.”
Federal workers in Henderson County include employees at the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, the Social Security Administration office, federal marshals, airport security and others.
IAM is located at 310 Freeman St. Services are provided 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Along with food, IAM also provides assistance with clothing, shoes, utility bill and rent assistance. Services have expanded in recent years to include personal hygiene items, prescription assistance, school supplies, linens, blankets, transportation assistance, pet food, medical cost assistance, and a Working Women's Closet, which provides professional clothing for women to wear to interviews and on the job.
For more information on IAM, go to http://bit.ly/2ANqpdL. Financial donations may be made through the website or by mailing checks to P.O. Box 2562, Hendersonville, NC, 28793. Food and clothing donations may be dropped off at IAM during business hours.
