A donation program that began in late 2025 to support community members impacted by the federal government shutdown has grown into two permanent collection sites in the Town of Gordonsville.
Gordonsville Town Manager Anthony Schienschang said that the collection program was initially established as area residents were at risk of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during what became the longest federal government shutdown in history. When the shutdown ended, he made the decision to turn the collection drive into an ongoing program to address continuing needs in the community.
“Growing up, my family had to go to the food bank multiple times because I was raised by a single mother with three boys,” he said. “So personally, my heart goes out to people in those situations and if there’s something we can do to make life a little bit easier for them, I’m happy to do it.”
Schienschang chose to partner with Good Samaritan Inc. for its decade-long track record of serving a wide range of community members, including those from marginalized and historically underserved communities. He added the town may eventually expand its collection efforts to include other local nonprofits.
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Donate to Good Samaritan food pantry and clothes closet…