Non-perishable food sits on a shelf in the newly opened food pantry at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 12, 2024. Airmen interested in accessing the pantry must contact their first sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)
Food pantries near U.S. military bases are seeing an increase in families seeking assistance.
Armed Services YMCA helps military families around the country
Big picture view:
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) provides resources to military families, including access to food security, child care and early childhood education. ASYMCA has 22 food distribution locations across the country, including locations near large military installations such as Fort Hood, TX, Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Bragg, NC, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, Twentynine Palms, CA , and Virginia Beach, VA. ASYMCA also partners with local YMCAs around the country where it doesn’t have a location
The ASYMCA food pantry distribution location near Fort Hood says they have had a 34% increase in people seeking assistance. ASYMCA says they are working to increase their food supplies at all their locations to meet the increased demand for assistance.
By the numbers:
Military personnel are paid on the 1st and 15th of each month and were paid on Oct. 1, but if the shutdown continues, troops may not receive their Oct. 15 pay.
During a government shutdown, members of the U.S. military, including active duty, National Guard and reserve members, and Coast Guard personnel, are not paid but must continue to report for duty to carry out their assigned responsibilities.
Government shutdown now in sixth day
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a visit to the USS Harry S. Truman during the US Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration, “America’s Navy 250: Titans of the Sea – A Salute to the Fleet”, at Naval Station Norfolk Pier 14 in Norfolk, Vir
Senate Republican and Democratic lawmakers remain at an impasse
What they’re saying:
Over the weekend, President Trump spoke at a ceremony marking the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, where he reassured service members affected by the ongoing government shutdown, that they would receive “every last penny” of their pay promising an “across-the-board” raise once the impasse ends.
“I want you to know that despite the current Democrat-induced shutdown, we will get our service members every last penny,” Trump said. “Don’t worry about it, it’s all coming,” he added.
On Friday, a vote in the Senate to advance a Republican bill to reopen the government failed to get the necessary 60 votes to end a filibuster.
House Speaker MIke Johnson closed the House for legislative business this week, a strategy that could obligate the Senate to work with the government funding bill that was passed by House Republicans.
“Johnson’s not serious about this,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on CBS. “He sent all his congressmen home last week and home this week. How are you going to negotiate?”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Sunday that the shutdown on discretionary spending, the furloughing of federal workers and requirements that other federal employees work without pay will go on so long as Democrats vote no.
“They’ll get another chance on Monday to vote again,” Thune said on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“And I’m hoping that some of them have a change of heart,” he said.
The Source: Information in this article was sourced from The Military Times, The Associated Press, and FOX News. This story was reported from Orlando.
