Escondido resident starts food pantry for federal employees

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Hundreds and thousands of federal employees missed their first paycheck and it’s been tough for many to pay bills and feed their family.

One local woman has left her doors open to anyone impacted by the shutdown. With the help of the community, she is providing food, gas cards and money for utilities until the shutdown ends.

“For the first couple weeks, it seems to be okay, but as time goes on, we’re not making it as well as I thought,” said Brooke Treiber.

Brooke Treiber’s family feels the impact of the government shutdown because she’s trying to feed four kids and make ends meet.

“It is crashing for families. Crashing,” said Patti Thompson, who started a food pantry at her home in Escondido.

Treiber met Thompson for the first time with tears in her eyes and groceries in her hands.

“I tell them wholeheartedly take for a week for your whole family,” said Thompson.

This Escondido woman started a food pantry at her home, a place where federal employees can take what need to put food on the table during the shutdown.

“It’s actually like going to the grocery store,” said Thompson. “You have everything you need, all the way from detergent to kids snacks and healthy lunches and dinners, meats, produce and dairies.”

The community poured in with thousands of dollars worth of groceries. Thompson’s home is filled and the donations have quadrupled since she started the mini grocery store just a week before. Thompson said the community has showed up every single day to help.

“They walk out of here with a week’s worth of food and we give them 50 dollars in gas cards to get them through,” said Thompson.

Some folks are preparing to miss their second paycheck this week. One federal employee who must remain anonymous because of where he works, said his family has dipped into their savings.

“I asked her where this is all coming from and she said it was from the community of Escondido, so all I can say is thank you for the community coming together,” said the Federal Employee. “There’s a lot of people with big hearts.”

Thompson said it doesn’t matter how long the shutdown lasts, her door will stay open.

“As long as people are willing to bring food, I’m willing to hold that door open,” said Thompson.

She also started a GoFundMe to raise money that will help federal employees pay for daycare, gas and utilities. If you would like to help donate, please visit this website.

https://www.gofundme.com/utility-bills-and-gas-for-local-federal-employees?member=1501250

If you have been impacted by the shutdown or would like to donate, please contact Patti Thompson at 760-580-4973.