The sight was staggering in Prince George's County, Md., home to more than 60,000 federal workers: middle-class professionals lined up for boxes of pasta, protein and produce to feed their families.

After a two-hour wait, Wanda Bright had finally reached the front of the line — just as the first batch of supplies ran out.

The Capital Area Food Bank had started the day with 300 boxes, enough for 150 government employees to receive two boxes each. It turned out that the need was even greater.

Fortunately, reinforcements had been called in, and cheers erupted as a second truck backed into the shopping center parking lot. Bright sighed with relief as volunteers handed over bread and other provisions to help get her family through the week.

"A lot of us are stressed, and it takes a toll on

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