Volunteers at the San Antonio Food Bank load bags of potatoes for a food distribution for SNAP recipients and other households affected by the federal shutdown, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Across the United States, volunteers are stepping up to provide essential services during the ongoing government shutdown. A notable example is the formation of **Pensacola Grocery Buddies**, which emerged from a meeting in late October among four women in the Florida panhandle. They aimed to connect individuals facing uncertainty over SNAP food benefits with local residents willing to cover grocery expenses and deliveries. Within just two weeks, co-organizer Hale Morrissette reported that the initiative facilitated over **300 matches** and raised more than **$10,000** to assist those who remain unconnected.
Morrissette, the operations director at the local health nonprofit **ROOTS**, emphasized the communal spirit driving these efforts. “Everybody’s stepping up. They know that this is not something that’s like a partisan type of issue. It’s about service and it’s about taking care of each other,” she stated.
The grassroots support extends far beyond Florida. Volunteers nationwide are addressing urgent needs as federal services face unprecedented disruptions. In Oklahoma City, for instance, the **Oklahoma City National Memorial** has relied on volunteers to conduct tours that would typically be led by furloughed National Park Service rangers. This site commemorates the **168 victims** of the 1995 bombing, the deadliest domestic attack in U.S. history.
Pat Hall, a **74-year-old state lobbyist** and memorial trustee, expressed his commitment to keep the memory alive. He recently guided a group of high school seniors who traveled three hours to learn about the “Oklahoma standard,” a term that promotes community care in the wake of tragedy. “My wife survived a bombing. I have to give back,” Hall remarked, reflecting on the importance of lifting each other up during challenging times.
The ethos of service is manifesting in various ways, particularly in response to a noticeable decline in volunteerism over recent years. Anna Culbertson, a former program specialist at the **National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases**, co-founded **27 UNIHTED**, a network designed to support former NIH employees. Following her own job loss in the spring, she mobilized efforts to assist federal workers affected by the shutdown. Her group organized food drives and established a resource database for furloughed employees, placing collection boxes at locations like **Panera Bread** and **Starbucks**.
Culbertson noted that her recent experiences have changed her perspective on community organizing. “We’re not professional organizers. For me and the NIH cohort, we’re scientists. We’re people who care and help a lot,” she said. Despite the positive impact of these initiatives, she lamented the circumstances that have necessitated such urgent action.
In **Riverside, California**, **Norte Vista High School** has also ramped up its community engagement efforts. Principal Jason Marquez highlighted the school’s commitment to addressing food insecurity in partnership with local businesses during the Thanksgiving season. The initiative, titled “**Thanksgiving Hands**,” aims to deliver meals to families in need. Community schools site coordinator Jaymee O’Rafferty reported that students are actively involved in collecting canned goods and delivering meals, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility toward their neighbors.
O’Rafferty shared, “Our students are the ones where if they have 10 cans in their pantry, they’re gonna bring five to donate. They already know the need and they’re willing to do what it takes to help.” This spirit of giving is crucial as the community comes together to confront the challenges posed by the shutdown.
As discussions about reopening the government progress, the urgency of these volunteer efforts remains. Morrissette from Pensacola Grocery Buddies noted that many families were struggling to manage their grocery budgets long before the SNAP benefit disruptions, bringing “new faces” to their nonprofit. The group continues to receive requests for assistance, with plans for a **November 15** fundraiser called “**Neighbors’ Night Out**” to help meet the rising demand.
Despite the challenges faced, Morrissette expressed optimism about the community’s resilience. “We’re gonna dance and we’re gonna talk and we’re gonna sing. We need joy in this world that tells us we shouldn’t have hope,” she concluded.
The ongoing efforts of these volunteers illustrate the power of community solidarity in times of crisis, as individuals come together to support one another amidst uncertainty.
