How to help furloughed government workers

Lest I remind you that we here in the United States are currently in the longest Government Shutdown due to the impasse Congress and the current sitting president have, not over actually effective border security (because most undocumented immigrants come not by crossing the border in Mexico but by flying in on a plane to La Guardia or JFK or really anywhere because planes can fly over walls) but because he wants a wall built to separate the borders of Mexico and the United State under the pretenses that it will make us safer. (Note: it actually won't).

Because of this governmental shutdown, an estimated 800,000 government workers have not been paid since before Christmas last year. Many of whom are being forced to go back to work and, in essence, work for free. Those include TSA agents, federal law enforcement, and, interestingly enough, border security agents, you know, all of the people who actually are responsible for making the country safe.

But I am not here to talk about politics. I am here because we have a legitimate crisis on our hands, where families have been living off of their savings and time and money is running out on them. The average American (over 75% of us) lives paycheck to paycheck and the alarming fact that these 800,000 Americans who help keep our parks clean, our planes safe, and make our lives easier not only have missed 2 (TWO) pay periods since the holidays but also many of whom are being forced to return to work.

This is wrong. This is beyond wrong. There are people who cannot afford to even go to work that are being forced to while they go hungry. So, being a human being, I, like many others have wondered what can we do to support those who are in need.

Some things to note:
Cash is always better than donations. You may be tempted to go through your home to unload stuff from your home, but money really helps and goes farther than canned goods can really go.

Donate to a food bank: While Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Lifeline, which provides emergency food services in the greater Washington, D.C., area, told the Washington Post they have seen demand go up 10% to 20% since the government shutdown, many federal workers aren’t just in the D.C. area. Check out your local food bank here to see what the needs are and how you can assist.

Donate to GoFundMe: GoFundMe already has its own fundraiser (with help from Deepak Chopra) to help furloughed employees cover their bills during the shutdown. 

Donate to the National Diaper Bank Network: The organization includes more than 200 local diaper banks and provides 52 million diapers a year, but it needs help to keep up with federal workers’ current needs. Donate here and if you need diapers, head here.

Donate to help the National Parks: The National Park Foundation started a fundraiser to cover costs for maintenance, and in some places, repairs for the parks after the shutdown. You can sign up to volunteer at the parks after the shutdown to help clean up as well.

Donate to World Central Kitchen: Chef Jose Andres took his own nonprofit to the nation’s capital in order to feed government employees and their families. Here is where you can donate.

Call your representatives and the White House: Feel free to reach out to your government, people! Call, email, or send your letters to members of Congress to tell them how you really feel about government workers not being compensated. Feel free to contact with the White House, U.S. Representatives and your U.S. Senators.

This is not a partisan fight, this is a humanitarian need. And as much as we can help each other, we certainly should.