The government shutdown is causing real stress for hundreds of thousands of individuals, and their families, who are directly affected by the loss of income. This three-part series features the individual, larger organized philanthropic, and corporate responses to support those most affected by the hard realities of the shutdown.
Did you miss the first two articles in the series? Part one features a variety of ways individuals can and are responding to the government shutdown and part two highlights the organized philanthropic response.
Business Response to Government Shutdown
- Many businesses are attempting to temporarily hire furloughed workers including Fairfax County Public Schools, Uber, Postmates, Door Dash, and Lyft.
- Local restaurants and larger food companies are offering free or discounted prices to federal furloughed employees including Z Burger, Baked by Yael, &Pizza, British Beer Company, and Kraft Foods. Some of these were one time only offers while others continue weeks into the shutdown.
- Making monthly payments for many has certainly become a source of anxiety. Several utilities are offering programs to relieve the burden including AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Washington Gas, and Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission (WSSC).
- Many small businesses are offering classes to help fill the time and relax federal workers who are anxious about the furlough. Options range from knitting classes to cake pop baking classes.
- Many financial institutions are waiving overdraft fees, offering personalized financial assistance, lines of credit or interest free lines. Some of these institutions include Bank of America, Chase, Discover, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.
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