Before President Donald Trump reopened the government last Friday, more than 800,000 federal employees and their families prepared for another missed paycheck. The government shutdown had a massive impact on communities all across the country, and Greene County was no exception.

After a 35-day government shutdown, Democrats and Republicans nationwide are up in arms. High-profile politicians such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Dick Durbin and others within the Democratic party have criticized the president’s tactics in bartering for a wall barricading the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Senate Appropriations Committee gave out estimates for how many people were affected. Many people were furloughed, including 96 percent of NASA, approximately 52,000 IRS staff members, at least 80 percent of the Forest Service; and more.

The recent government shutdown has imposed many problems for families all across the country, but the biggest problem created by the shutdown is the availability of food. Families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program haven’t been able to collect their food stamps since early January, said Candace Tustin, executive director at Corner Cupboard Food Bank.

Corner Cupboard is one of more than 264 different organizations in Greene County continue to serve the community, with 11 pantries that reach out to churches, schools, and businesses in the community.

Tustin said she has never experienced anything quite like the government shutdown, and that there was a significant effect on the food bank and its volunteers.

“In one month’s time, through those 11 sites, we have provided food security for over 2,500 people,” Tustin said.

Tustin said there is an issue with the food stamps in Greene County, and the shortage of food as a result of the monthly reduction of food stamps.

“Next month, I expect it all to become more extreme,” Tustin said. “The February food stamps are issued at the end of January, so when all of those food stamps are quickly used, a whole new wave of clients call our food bank in need of food.”

Tustin said it was difficult for Corner Cupboard to run effectively during the shutdown, especially after they had to build a new cooler just to keep up with the demand of their clients. She said the food bank was also limited by their monthly budget from the state.

“The pantries are open one day a week; on the other hand we are open five days a week with a working cooler and freezer, so that is hard to keep up with on top of the growing need for food in the last month,” Tustin said.

With the poverty level at an overwhelming 12.3% in the U.S., the importance of nonprofit organizations is continuing to grow. Greene County alone has the second highest poverty rate in the state of Pennsylvania, making food insecurity a growing need.

In a region that voted heavily in support for Trump in the 2016 election, and leaned in favor of most Republican candidates during the midterm elections last November, support for the president still remains high.

“I feel bad for those affected by the government shutdown, it is an unfortunate situation to be thrust into with little to no warning,” said Betsy McClure, a representative for the Greene County Republican Party, in a statement.

McClure said despite the inconvenience, she remains in support for Trump’s plans for a border wall, his justification for the shutdown.

“I feel that government’s number one job is to protect the American people. The border is a matter of national security. Both parties need to sit and negotiate and come to an agreement,” the statement continued. “We elect legislators, and we pay them with our tax dollars with the expectation that they will work together to solve difficult problems.”

For nonprofit workers like Tustin, the circumstances surrounding the situation pale in comparison to the priority of supporting the community.

“Our economy gets better by building your neighbor up,” Tustin said. “The plan is to keep going.”