WOODS HOLE – The partial government shutdown is having an impact on the Coast Guard and other military personnel on Cape Cod this week.
With no paychecks coming this week – many families are in need of money for food and other basic supplies.
The Cape Cod Military Support Foundation is working to help those in need by collecting and providing more food at their facility at Joint Base Cape Cod.
Executive Director Don Cox said they are working to help supply Coast Guard families, military families, and the civilian workers who support the military who are also furloughed.
Cox said it’s a sad situation for the families who continue to work.
“It’s not like we stopped asking them to work, they’re still providing rescue and support operations for all of the coastline of Massachusetts,” said Cox.
The group is looking for help from the public with donations that will be used to fund the food and materials they are buying for the families.
“You got your utility payments, your rent payments, your fixed payment, all that’s coming, and now we didn’t pay them,” said Cox. “It’s a sad situation.”
The Paper Pantry and the Takeaway Meal is teaming up on Wednesday to provide federal workers with a supply of paper and toiletry items and a prepared meal to bring home.
The free event will take place at St. David’s Episcopal Church in South Yarmouth from 1-3 pm.
Federal workers interested in the services are asked to contact St. David’s at 508-394-4222 and must bring their federal I.D. with them.
The Family Pantry in Harwich is also offering food assistance to any Coast Guard families affected by the shutdown and the Bourne and Falmouth public schools are offering free school meals to students affected by the shutdown.
Families are urged to apply for the free meal program in the Mashpee School District.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS and MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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