FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Lawmakers headed home without a deal to end the government shutdown Friday and federal workers are worried about when they'll see their next paycheck.

One Generation Away, a nonprofit based in Franklin, has stepped up to help provide food boxes to help federal employees because even though bills keep coming in, many federal employees have to work without pay.

"[Lack of] income doesn't stop your mortgage from coming due," One Generation Away's CEO, Chris Whitney, told News 2. "It doesn't stop the gas from coming due. It doesn't stop the grocery bill from coming due."

The nonprofit has been giving away food boxes to federal employees during the shutdown — no questions asked. Whitney said they're ready to serve families as they deal with uncertainty about their futures.

"If you're a federal employee and you've been furloughed, or if you're exempt, we want [you] to know: we are here for you," Whitney said. "No questions asked. No IDs — anything like that."

"We've already had three people come in [Friday] to receive food," Whitney added. "Two single moms, and one of them said she didn't even know how she was going to make it if she kept working."

Helping families get food is a cause close to Whitney's heart.

"My wife and I have a daughter — our middle daughter was born with spina bifida," Whitney said. "She's 34 now, but she's had 17 surgeries. When she was born, we were in a food line for six months, and we remembered the shame and the humility. It was just really hard."

They're open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays, One Generation Away operates a mobile food pantry.

"We're going to give you a lot of great food, and we're going to be praying for you and walking with you until you get your paycheck back and thank you for serving us so well," Whitney said. "Thank you for the privilege to serve you now."

The organization said they could always use volunteers or donations. You can follow this link to donate monetarily or follow this link to volunteer for either their mobile pantry or their warehouse.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/franklin-org-helps-fed-workers-shutdown/