Food giveaway for federal workers impacted by government shutdown

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are looking for ways to get by without a paycheck as the partial government shutdown continues.

The El Paso region is no exception, but a local effort is helping put food on the table.

Operation H.O.P.E., a local nonprofit organization, is hosting a food giveaway event Thursday morning at the Northeast Regional Command Center, located at 9600 Dyer Street.

The event begins at 10 a.m., but federal employees are encouraged to show up early.

“We want to thank them for the work that they’re doing despite what’s going on with the government right now. They take care of us, we’re going to be taking care of them, ” Gomez said.

Operation H.O.P.E. partnered with Quality Fruit and Vegetable Company to provide the food that will be handed out. Gomez said Chick-fil-A gift cards will also be handed out.

Gomez said it typically takes a month to put together an event like this, but everything has fallen into place in recent days.

It was County Commissioner Carl Robinson who approached Gomez with the idea and they quickly got to work to make the food giveaway possible.

Gomez said the owner of Quality Fruit and Vegetable, Nick Delgado, is always willing to help his community.

“He’s always there to back us up one-hundred percent on whatever we do,” Gomez said.

“It’s a tough position to be in, we’ve always helped out needy people. That’s what we try to do,” Delgado said.

Federal workers are asked to take proof of employment to receive food.

Gomez said spouses of federal workers can also show up and their word will be honored.