As the US federal government shutdown enters its second month, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are grappling with severe financial strain, forcing many to turn to food banks for survival. The shutdown, which began on October 1 due to a deadlock over healthcare funding and other policy priorities, has left approximately 1.4 million workers without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Among them, at least 670,000 are on furlough, while 730,000 continue to work without compensation. The crisis has sparked widespread distress, with workers across the nation sharing stories of hardship and uncertainty. In New York, long lines of federal employees, some visibly embarrassed, queued outside churches and food banks to secure basic necessities like vegetables and non-perishable items. Jacquelin, a federal worker, tearfully recounted the emotional toll of being unable to celebrate her daughter’s birthday or afford simple pleasures like a slice of pizza. Similarly, Christina Dechabert, a Transportation Security Administration employee at JFK Airport, described the situation as ‘draining,’ noting that her savings, meant for retirement, are now being depleted to feed her family. The crisis extends beyond New York, with reports of food distribution events in Washington, DC, drawing massive crowds even before they officially began. Many workers, like an anonymous furloughed woman, feel they are being unfairly treated as ‘collateral damage’ in the political impasse. As negotiations remain stalled, the shutdown continues to take a heavy financial and personal toll on federal workers nationwide.