The Government shut down for over a month in 2018

[Freethinker65]

8. Nope. Not everyone. Some yes.

You would be surprised how many American workers live hand to mouth. Yes, even some Federal workers.
One could argue they should have some savings for emergencies, but lecturing is not the purpose of our food pantry.

For some, the bag of groceries they left with supplemented what they already had on hand, or would be buying, for themselves and families. We distribute fresh and frozen meat, fresh produce, fresh baked goods, along with typical shelf stable pantry goods.

For others, like newly relocated FBI agents, they were currently cash poor from rent and rent deposits, car payments, loans, and required to work without pay. They came in after a week or so, totally ashamed. They also gave us a hefty donation once they received their back pay. They volunteered their info, it was not required.

Workers then didn't know how long the furloughs would last, so saving where you could became more important as time went on. It is hard financially, but also psychologically, when the paycheck you have been relying on suddenly stops coming (I have just learned that myself from a recent retirement, and yes, I have savings).

I will say, after the furlough was over, we did see a drop off in clients attributed to those that returned to work not continuing to use our services (though we would not have denied them).