LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With the ongoing government shutdown showing no signs of ending, many Louisville residents are turning to food banks for help — some for the first time.
The Sister Visitor Center, a West End food pantry, is stepping up to support families left without paychecks. The pantry offers food, financial aid, and even pet supplies to those in need.
Debra Mason, a local resident, said she would be “kind of desperate” without the pantry. She relies on the center not just for herself but also for her cat, Garfield, whom she rescued 11 years ago. Volunteer Laura Williams created the pet portion of the pantry after noticing that some clients were feeding their pets leftover human food. The pantry now stocks 44,000 pounds of pet food and supplies. Roughly 40% of visitors stop by the pet section, while the pantry serves 72–80 people daily.
Federal workers and military affected
The shutdown comes at a time when many federal workers are expecting smaller paychecks, and active-duty military personnel could go without pay if the shutdown continues past October 15. In past shutdowns, Congress has passed emergency legislation to ensure military salaries continue.
Nutrition programs under strain
Federal programs like WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) may run out of funds within a week or two, potentially leaving families without access to essential nutrition support. Williams emphasizes that anyone in need is welcome at the pantry, whether for groceries or pet supplies.
Impact on Veterans Affairs employees
Approximately 97% of VA employees continue to work without pay. Essential services — including medical care, benefits, and burials — are continuing, but non-essential services like career counseling, public outreach, and some call centers have been paused…