A group of volunteers in the United States has stepped in to provide essential services during an extended government shutdown, demonstrating the power of community support. This grassroots movement began in late October when a lifestyle entrepreneur, a marketing professional, a restaurant owner, and a social worker gathered at a brewery in the Florida panhandle. Together, they founded **Pensacola Grocery Buddies**, a program designed to connect individuals facing uncertainty over SNAP food benefits with those willing to cover grocery costs and deliveries.
In just two weeks, co-organizer **Hale Morrissette** reported that the initiative made over **300 matches** and raised more than **$10,000** for those in need. “Everybody’s stepping up,” said Morrissette, the operations director at a local health nonprofit called **ROOTS**. “They know that this is not a partisan issue. It’s about service and taking care of each other.”
Volunteers across the country have mobilized to support their communities amid the disruptions caused by the ongoing shutdown. From providing meals to local families to continuing tours at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, these efforts highlight the resilience and solidarity of citizens during challenging times.
At the Oklahoma City National Memorial, volunteers have taken on roles typically held by furloughed National Park Service rangers. The memorial commemorates the **168 victims** of the 1995 bombing, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. **Pat Hall**, a **74-year-old state lobbyist** and memorial trustee, expressed his commitment to the cause, stating he was “honored to step up” and “keep the flame alive.” Hall led his first tour for a senior class that had traveled three hours from their rural high school, ensuring that the legacy of the Oklahoma standard—a culture of caring—remains intact even in the face of adversity.
“We have to lift each other up,” remarked fellow trustee **Sara Sweet**. She emphasized the numerous opportunities to help, given the great need in the community. Recent years have seen a decline in volunteerism, but many are now inspired to give back, prompted by personal experiences and the urgency of the current situation.
**Anna Culbertson**, a former program specialist at the **National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases**, was among those affected by layoffs this spring. She co-founded **27 UNIHTED**, a network for National Institutes of Health alumni, to offer peer support and career resources. As the shutdown progressed, the network organized food drives for federal employees unable to receive pay and compiled a list of available assistance for furloughed workers. Collection boxes have been placed outside popular venues like **Panera Bread** and **Starbucks**, as well as during protests in Washington, D.C.
Culbertson acknowledged the learning curve associated with organizing these efforts. “We’re not professional organizers,” she noted. “For me and the NIH cohort, we’re scientists. We’re people who care and help a lot.”
The spirit of mutual aid is also evident at **Norte Vista High School** in Riverside, California. Known for its strong civic engagement culture, the school has ramped up its efforts to provide meals for families facing food insecurity. With the Trump administration’s push to cut food assistance funding, Principal **Jason Marquez** announced a partnership with local businesses for a door-to-door meal delivery service called **Thanksgiving Hands**.
**Jaymee O’Rafferty**, the community schools site coordinator, highlighted the urgency of the situation: many families have been requesting additional support. She has motivated a mothers’ group to deliver meals and gift cards, while student clubs are collecting canned goods. The initiative emerged from a student’s suggestion, showcasing the proactive spirit of youth in the community.
“Our students know the need and are willing to help,” O’Rafferty stated. “If everybody can come together and share a little, it makes a huge difference.”
Despite ongoing negotiations in Congress aimed at resolving the government shutdown, community engagement shows no signs of slowing. Morrissette continues to see a significant demand for assistance in Pensacola. Many families were already struggling to manage their grocery budgets before the suspension of SNAP benefits.
The Pensacola Grocery Buddies Facebook page remains active, filled with posts from beneficiaries expressing gratitude and requests for new support. The group is planning a **Neighbors’ Night Out** fundraiser on **November 15** to address the growing needs of the community. “We’re gonna dance and we’re gonna talk and we’re gonna sing,” Morrissette said. “We need joy in this world that tells us we shouldn’t have hope.”
This collective effort underscores the resilience and generosity of ordinary citizens, who continue to rally together in support of one another, even as the future remains uncertain.
