The shutdown of the federal government means many employees and contractors are furloughed, or working but not getting a paycheck.
While it won't solve the problem, many area businesses are stepping in to provide some relief to anyone affected. Below are a number of places that are offering free admission for anyone with an ID and also some DC/Northern VA specific organizations that are ready to step in with a bag of groceries to help you until this is over.
Children's Science Center (Fair Oaks Mall): Bring your federal ID/badge for free entrance to employee, contractors and family members
Woodrow Wilson House, National Building Museum, National Law Enforcement Museum, U.S. Botanic Garden, Newseum- Open with free admission for feds
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Free movies Monday-Thursday
&pizza: 6-8pm daily free pizza
Gregorys Coffee: 12oz caffeinated beverages free with ID
sweetgreen: 1/11-1/3 6-8pm free salad
Jose Andres Restaurants- Free sandwich 2-5pm during workweek
Whole Foods-Multiple Locations- Community Spaghetti Dinner: 1/15 5-7:30pm
Rosetta Stone: Free 3 month online subscription
FCPS: Breakfast/Lunch will be provided to any student regardless of availability to pay. Unpaid balances will be allowed to accrue
Many local counties (Fairfax, Montgomery, Arlington etc.) are doing expedited hiring for substitutes for federal employees
"Pop-Up Grocery Stores"- Free food for federal workers/contractors. Saturdays 9-12. Check Capital Area Food Bank as locations might change
• 1050 Brentwood Road, Brentwood, Washington, D.C. 20018
• 6800 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Va. 22306
• 10480 Campus Way South, Largo, Md. 20774
• 7074 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, Md. 20748
• 12051 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md. 20852
Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Lifeline- personalized recs for community resources: 202-644-9807
Northern Virginia Family Services-Housing, Food Financial Assistance: 571-748-2552
Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning: 703-222-0880
Committee for Helping Others (Vienna)-Food/Financial Assistance: 703 281 7614
AT&T, Verizon, Spring, T-Mobile: Willing to work with affected employees on fees
Bank of American, Chase, Congressional Federal Credit Union, Discover, FedChoice, Navy Federal, Wells Fargo, US Employees Credit Union: Will work with affected employees
May be eligible for "Unemployment compensation for federal employees" check with state agencies
Washington, D.C.