Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
A food distribution for federal workers and contractors is among the food pantry's assistance in response to growing needs. HAYMARKET, VA — The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry is usually busier during the holiday season as it prepares holiday distributions to its clients, Executive Director Eileen Smith told Patch. But this year, the season is looking busier than ever as it responds to the impacts of the federal government shutdown. Since the federal government shutdown began over a month ago, the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry saw 200 percent increase in applications for food assistance. In response, the food pantry is organizing food distributions for federal workers and contractors. The next distribution will be Sunday, Nov. 9, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Haymarket Regional Food Pantry (7669 Limestone Dr STE 105, Gainesville, VA). The distribution will provide 300 shelf-stable food boxes with items such as peanut butter, jelly, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, beans, soup, shelf-stable milk and more. For these food distributions, residents do not need to live in Haymarket Regional Food Pantry's coverage area. Federal workers and contractors only need to bring their government ID to receive food. No registration is required. "We will also do three other special distributions for the federal workers every other week, every other Sunday, until January, and then we'll reassess in December if we need to keep the program going," said Smith. "So what does that mean? It means we're spending more money, it means that we're spending more time, but that's what we're here for. That's our mission. Our mission is to help feed our hungry neighbors, and that's what we're doing." Smith says the food pantry is adaptable to face challenges like the federal government shutdown. During the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers went to buy grocery store gift cards for clients because their normal source of food was not available. During the last government shutdown, the food pantry ran a pop-up grocery store for workers. The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry, started by St Paul's Episcopal Church and St Catherine Drexel Catholic Church, has been serving the community since 2005. The food pantry started in a church closet and grew its client space as it moved to new locations over the years. Smith joined the food pantry in 2007 and has been the executive director for 10 years. The food pantry is completely volunteer run and served 40,000 people in 2024, according to Smith. Residents are eligible to become food pantry clients if they live in certain ZIP codes in western Prince William County — Gainesville, Haymarket, Nokesville, Catharpin and Bristow. People who live in those ZIP code visit the food pantry in person to fill out an application. The food pantry asks for proof of residency, how many residents are in the household. The application also seeks birthdays of residents, especially since it prepares birthday bags for children. The food pantry partners with Cake4Kids to provide cakes for children's birthdays, It also partners with Boxes of Basics to get children new clothing twice a year. Clients come in once per week to the food pantry, which Smith says resembles a "small grocery store." They will pick out proteins, produce and shelf-stable items that they need for the week. The food pantry runs five days a week during evening and weekend hours, which is when Smith says regional residents are more available to get their food. "We're really proud that we provide a very respectful environment for our customers," said Smith. "Our number one goal is to make it as frictionless as possible, both the application process, as well as the process of coming in and getting food." The food pantry's operations are possible by the work of volunteers, discounted food purchased from the Capital Area Food Bank and eight grocery stores that regularly donate food. Other items are purchased from a restaurant provider and from grocery stores as needed. Oak Spring Garden Foundation and Fauquier Education Farm, which grow food for people in need, also supply the food pantry. Food insecurity has been a growing problem even before the federal government shutdown. Smith cited the Capital Area Food Bank's 2025 report showing Prince William County has a 43 percent food insecurity rate, up from 36 percent last year. The county had the second-highest food insecurity rate of the localities in the Capital Area Food Bank's coverage area, second to Prince George's County, Maryland. "When I mention food insecure, that means that our families go three or four nights per week to bed hungry," said Smith. The food insecurity roots have been threefold due to the volatile job market, increasing prices and cost of living, and furloughs of federal employees. Smith estimates that 90 percent of clients are "underemployed" — that they work hard but do not make enough to live in the costly area. "It's really creating the perfect storm for food insecurity," said Smith. "In our county, we have seen — this is since 2020 — we've seen the consumer price index rise to 21 percent. That is a moniker of where the economy is, how much things cost, how much your rent costs, etc. And at the same time, we've only seen a wage growth increase of 6 percent so you'll see there's a 15 percent delta between really what it costs to live here and what people are making." Along with feeding federal workers, the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry is preparing for the holidays, when it distributes Thanksgiving and holiday dinners. Smith encourages residents to help with food or monetary donations or by volunteering. Food bins are available outside the food pantry 24/7. For more information, visit haymarketfoodpantry.org. "These are your neighbors that are coming," said Smith. "These are your neighbors that are in need right now. They really are." Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.
