Food bank prepares for potential influx of federal workers amid threat of government shutdown

COLUMBIA, Md. — Maryland, with one of the highest concentrations of federal workers, is now bracing for the impact of a federal government shutdown.

According to census data, more than 140,000 federal government employees live in the state and may not see a paycheck soon. An estimated 50,000 live in Howard County alone, which has a median income of more than $151,000 a year.

But emergencies and food insecurity don’t discriminate.

Howard County food bank prepares for government shutdown

“We know that families often will make sure that they're still sheltered, and that their car notes are paid and they will often give up eating and give up feeding themselves and their children,” Community Action Council of Howard County president Tracy Broccolino said.

The non-profit provides assistan