Federal workers, missing paychecks, head to Long Island food banks amid uncertain future

For James Nolan, of Shirley, a TSA agent at Kennedy Airport who is not getting paid while he works during the federal government shutdown, it's the uncertainty that is uppermost in his mind.

Nolan, who was waiting in line Monday to get free food from Long Island's food banks, noted that Thanksgiving is coming and said: "We’re kind of crossing our fingers that this will be over by then. If not, we’re going to have to figure out what we’re going to do."

He received a box of fresh fruits and vegetables and another of frozen chicken and ground turkey and shelf-stable food items during the first joint food distribution, conducted by Island Harvest and Long Island Cares — The Harry Chapin Food Bank, that was designated especially for furloughed and unpaid federal workers.

Nolan, 32, who "loves what I do," said by next week he will have missed two paychecks. So he was among scores in cars that lined up in the parking lot of Farmingdale State College on Monday for the food distribution hosted by the two food banks.

"It's tough putting food on the table," Nolan said. "Luckily for me ... my wife and I — we don't have kids. Still, we didn't have too much saved up, unfortunately, beforehand, so events like this definitely help out a lot because now I can afford to put gas in the car, instead of having to put food on the table."

Jessica Valdes, 51, of Islip, said she is a civilian employee of the U.S. Army Reserve who has been furloughed. In her job as a family programs support assistant, "I normally connect our service members and military families with resources," such as food banks like Long Island Cares.

Now Valdes said it's her family who is in need of assistance, since neither she nor her husband — also a federal employee on the job as an essential worker — is getting paid. They are parents to two children, ages 5 and 10, she said.

Valdes said the food assistance helps "greatly, especially when there is no income at this point," adding she had "never" had to rely on food assistance before.

Another woman in line, who asked that her name not be used for fear of repercussions, said she is a furloughed worker at the IRS. She said, "I feel weird being here. I didn't think I had to resort to this." She added, "We're just pawns. I feel like we're on a chessboard. ... And we just keep moving here and there."

Leaders of the food banks said they weren't surprised that they were getting newcomers.

"We're doing our best to get the message out there," said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Melville-based Island Harvest. "I think that there are many federal employees who have never looked for help before. It's not an easy thing. We work with people who are struggling all the time. We treat them with dignity and respect. But a lot of people have never been through this process before. It's scary" for many, she said.

Although the food banks were prepared to distribute food to up to 500 families, 139 people — 104 federal workers and an additional 35 who weren't federal workers — registered at the distribution, according to a spokesman for Long Island Cares.

Shubin Dresner said social workers and a dietitian were on site Monday to provide even more resources to those who needed it.

Katherine Fritz, president and CEO of Long Island Cares, based in Hauppauge, agreed that "dignity and respect" would be accorded recipients. "People are concerned about coming to a food pantry. And what does that mean? How are they going to be treated? There's definitely a stigma to coming and asking for help. ... We want them to come here and let us know what they need, what their families need and we're going to make sure they are served by both of our organizations," she said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) appeared at the distribution event, praising the work of the food banks for helping people "in some of the most desperate circumstances in their lives." He also criticized the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which has added to the food insecurity of many on Long Island.

The Trump administration said Monday it would partially fund SNAP after two federal judges ruled last week the administration was required to keep the food program running, The Associated Press reported.

Despite the political divisions, Suozzi said, "We just have to take care of people in difficult times, most of whom are children, senior citizens and disabled people."

By Olivia Winslow

olivia.winslow@newsday.com@newsollie