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As the federal government shutdown entered its 28th day, Falls Church restaurants, businesses, community groups and city officials expanded efforts to help workers going without pay.

Federal employees make up nearly 9 percent of the city’s workforce, leaving Falls Church particularly exposed to the shutdown. Food assistance has become increasingly urgent, with Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at risk of lapsing Nov. 1 unless the shutdown is resolved.

Restaurants provide meals and discounts

Harvey’s, at 513 W. Broad St., launched a “Feed the Furloughed” campaign on Saturday, Oct. 25. Furloughed employees who show valid identification receive 25 percent off food, with the discount increasing by one percentage point for every additional day the shutdown continues.

The restaurant also lets community members purchase meals for affected workers. Receipts for donated meals are placed on a board, where furloughed employees can select one and redeem it at the restaurant.

Chef Thomas Harvey also invited members of Congress to contribute. He said any donated meals remaining after the shutdown will be given to Doorways, a local shelter serving women and families.

Support arrived quickly. An anonymous donor purchased two $75 Harvey’s gift cards for furloughed workers, and the restaurant announced plans to award them through a social media drawing. Harvey said the response during the campaign’s first day nearly moved him to tears.

Moby Dick House of Kabob, which has a location at 444 W. Broad St., Suite A, announced its own offer Oct. 27. Federal employees may show their government identification at any Moby Dick location to receive a free lunch sandwich on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other businesses across Falls Church, Tysons and nearby communities are offering assistance:

  • Nue Elegantly Vietnamese, 944 W. Broad St., is discounting cocktails by $5, wine by $3 and beer by $2 during designated happy hours for customers who mention its promotion.
  • Honeygrow is giving federal workers 20 percent off orders, including at 8399 Leesburg Pike near Tysons and 6464 Lincolnia Road in Falls Church.
  • Bawadi Mediterranean Grill offered furloughed workers and their families a free dinner buffet from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 20 at 6304 Leesburg Pike.
  • The Toy Nest, 125 N. Washington St., is allowing federal workers’ children to play free for one hour per week on weekdays before 3 p.m. Employee identification is required.
  • Stellina Pizzeria is offering half-price drinks and an all-day happy hour until the shutdown ends at its Shirlington, Rosslyn and Tysons locations.
  • One More Page Books, 2200 N. Westmoreland St., is providing free books and puzzles to people affected by the shutdown.
  • Compass Coffee is offering customers with federal identification a free pastry with a drink purchase.

Soccer club joins relief effort

Virginia Dream FC is also extending an offer to affected workers. Federal employees with government identification will receive free admission when the Falls Church semi-professional soccer club hosts Washington’s Guerilla FC in the third round of U.S. Open Cup qualifying.

The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Meridian High School Stadium, known as “The Cloud.”

City directs workers to food and employment aid

The Falls Church city government has maintained a collection of resources for furloughed workers since the shutdown began.

The Capital Area Food Bank is distributing shelf-stable food and fresh produce to federal employees and contractors who present government work identification. Scheduled sites include:

  • No Limits Outreach Ministries, 7721 Barlowe Road in Hyattsville, from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays.
  • So What Else, 6001 Executive Blvd. in North Bethesda, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays.
  • United Community, 7511 Fordson Road in Alexandria, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays.
  • Urban Outreach, 5343 C St. SE in Washington, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays.
  • LindaBen Foundation, 10739 Tucker St. in Beltsville, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Locations and schedules may change, and food is available while supplies last. Additional help is available through the Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Lifeline at 202-644-9807.

October SNAP benefits were distributed normally. However, the Virginia Department of Social Services said benefits would begin lapsing Nov. 1 if the federal government did not reopen by Oct. 28.

Residents seeking basic-needs assistance may call 703-222-0880, or TTY 711, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Other support is available through the Department of Family Services, Health and Human Services and regional emergency food programs.

Dislocated federal workers and contractors can also seek employment assistance through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which offers virtual and in-person orientation sessions.

Local and regional job resources include Falls Church’s Human Resources and Housing and Human Services departments, the library’s Brainfuse JobNow service, Virginia Works, the Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Career Works, NOVAnext and the statewide Virginia Has Jobs portal. Recreation and Parks fee reductions may also be available.

Additional career-transition programs are offered through USAJobs, the Office of Personnel Management, Hiring Our Heroes, Work for America and public agencies across Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington.