CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is ready for any influx of people in need with the federal government shutdown, including a large contingent from the defense industry. The food bank is also expecting Shenandoah National Park employees who have been furloughed to need service.

Spokesperson Les Sinclair said the food bank is built for moments like these.

“This federal government shutdown will affect the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank because many of the people who are working as federal employees are military people

He points to the Charlottesville Area Chamber of Commerce report in 2021 showing nearly 4000 local defense jobs, and 3500 other federal works in our area. as well as the contractors and low-income households, when they stop getting paid they all face financial strains when the federal government shuts down,” Sinclair said.

“So, our plan is to be there and to stand ready, keep the faith, for no matter what comes along with our neighbors and our partners.”

Those more fortunate are urged to give at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank website where there’s a blue “DONATE” button at the top right.

“Giving really helps maximize what we can do,” Sinclair said. “One dollar helps provide more than three meals, so if we’re in a situation where we have to purchase more food, that money goes and is used as a really good resource to make sure that our partners have the food to distribute.”

Sinclair cites a University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center 2021 study for the Charlottesville Area Chamber of Commerce the defense industry in Charlottesville and surrounding counties of Albemarle and Greene accounted for 3972 jobs for a $642-million economic output in the area.

The total indirect impact in 2021 was 7347 jobs with $1.2-billion economic output.

A federal government documents shows employees of federal contractors could be immediately impacted as civilian employees receive their final full paycheck.

October 15 is when active-duty military, reservists and other individuals on the DOD pay schedule will miss their first paycheck. Civilian employees received a partial paycheck.

Federal civilian employees miss their first full paycheck October 29, and active-duty military, reservists, and other individuals on the DOD pay schedule will miss their second paycheck.