Colorado Springs food pantry helping furloughed workers, concerned if shutdown lasts until February

The impacts of the partial government shutdown are being felt by federal workers in Colorado and a Colorado Springs food pantry is stepping up to help them out.

Ecumenical Social Ministries normally only serves nine zip codes in Colorado Springs but has decided to open up their shelves to nay furloughed federal worker who needs food while the government is shut down.

“We’re very concerned about our furloughed federal workers,” Ann Lantz, Executive Director of ESM said.

Lantz said she wants to make sure no one is going hungry.

“I believe there was a paycheck that’s going to be due either this Friday or next Monday. So that’s when they’re really going to start hurting is when that first paycheck doesn’t come in,” Lantz said.

While the shelves at ESM are stocked up right now, they’re concerned their shelves will start emptying out if the government shutdown lasts much longer.

“We’re very concerned whether we will have enough food to help folks if food stamps don’t load onto their cards in the first part of February,” Lantz said.

It’s not just a concern, it’s happening in Indiana. A grocery store there is having to turn people away who want to pay with food stamps because EBT cards are not working there during the shutdown.

“It’s like out of our control there’s nothing we can do about it,” Tristen Malone, IGA manager said.

With little progress made in the shutdown talks, President Trump gave this message to those waiting on checks.

“I’m sure people on the receiving end will make adjustments. They always do. People understand what’s going on.”

The biggest concern for ESM kicks in if the shutdown continues into February and food stamps are not funded. They said in that case, they’ll only have enough emergency food reserves for about a week.