A Prince George’s County church that feeds the needy on a daily basis has been stepping up their efforts. Since the government shutdown began, one of every four phone calls for help comes from a federal worker. News4’s Chris Gordon highlights how some organizations and companies are helping.
In D.C., you can get help paying your water bill. In Charles County, Maryland, the school district can help if you can't afford your kids' school lunch. And in Arlington, Virginia, a pet food pantry has opened.
Even as furloughed federal employees get ready to go back to work, some organizations are still offering deals, like free lunches, for D.C. area workers who are owed back pay.
Here's a running list of available resources.
DC
Get a Free Lunch: A group of D.C. area co-working spaces are partnering to host and feed recently furloughed federal employees at a different space every day for the week of Jan. 28. Just show up with your government ID and grab a plate starting at 12 p.m. on Monday.
— On Monday, Alley Powered by Verizon (2055 L St. NW, Fourth Floor) and Industrious (4201 Wilson Blvd. Third Floor, Arlington) will serve lunches for government workers.
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— On Tuesday, Inclusive Innovation Incubator (2301 Georgia Ave. NW) will serve lunches
— On Wednesday, 1776 (2231 Crystal Dr. #1000, Arlington), MakeOffices (1015 15th St. NW, #600) and Industrious (1 Thomas Circle NW, #700) will serve lunches.
— On Thursday, The Yard (700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) will serve lunches.
— On Friday, MindSpace (1301 K St. NW) will serve lunches.
Get a Free Meal: José Andrés' World Central Kitchen, at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, near the United States Navy Memorial, is set to be open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's serving a "rotating menu of hot meals, sandwiches and salads," a statement from the nonprofit said.
One-Stop Resource Shop: Next door to World Central Kitchen, several businesses and non-profits are partnering to provide resources to federal employees. Martha's Table, the Greater DC Diaper Bank, Pepco, Verizon, AARP, Dr. Bronner's and the International Fund for Animal Welfare are scheduled to participate. The center is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Help With Baby Supplies: The Northwest Center (2702 Ontario Road NW) offers furloughed workers free diapers, wipes and other necessities for their babies. Call 202-483-7008 to schedule an appointment.
Help With Groceries: Furloughed workers and contractors who are D.C. residents can visit Bread for the City's Northwest or Southeast centers for a five-day supply of groceries. In addition, the medical clinic at the Northwest Center is currently accepting new patients. Go here for more information, including hours of operation and required documentation needed.
Help Paying Your Water Bill: DC Water said they will work with "any federal worker who may need additional flexibility in paying their bill because of the government shutdown." Extended payment plans are available, as well as a program that helps customers keep water and sewer service on despite financial emergencies. Go to DC Water's website for more information.
Help Paying Your Gas Bill: Washington Gas is offering flexible payment plans to government employees affected by the shutdown. One plan lets customers spread winter heating bills across the entire year. Payment deferments are possible, as well as access to the Washington Area Fuel Fund for low-income customers. Call 1-844-WASHGAS to discuss your individual situation.
Help Feeding Your Pet: The Humane Rescue Alliance has a Pet Pantry that federal workers who live in D.C. can use to help feed their animals. Go to the HRA website for info.
Maryland
Free Public Transportation: The Maryland Department of Transportation is offering free transit for unpaid federal employees who must still report to work during the shutdown. They can ride for free on MARC, Commuter Bus and BaltimoreLink services such as CityLink, LocalLink, Express BusLink, Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink. They will need to show their federal government ID.
Free Meals: Free meals are available for all furloughed federal workers at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center (10000 New Hamshire Ave., Silver Spring) on weekdays from noon to 6 p.m.
Help With Groceries: New Life Worship Center (7230 Central Ave., Capitol Heights) will hold a Furlough Relief Market Friday, Jan. 18 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those affected by the government shutdown who need groceries may "shop" free of charge.
Help Paying Your Water Bill: If WSSC provides your water, there's help available. The water utility announced it is suspending water service shutoffs. Also, a number of programs are available to lower your bill. Go here for more info.
Get Meals for Your Kids: A few school districts are offering help with meals:
— Charles County Public Schools is providing a temporary $30 increase in meal credits to help families affected by the shutdown. Learn more here.
— The head of Prince George's County Public Schools announced a new fund to pay for hot meals for students during the shutdown and beyond. The fund aims to cover the cost of 10,000 meals. Go here to learn more, or donate.
— Montgomery County Public Schools are covering meals for students affected by the shutdown through the Dine with Dignity program. Students with negative account balances can get the usual breakfast or lunch for free. Go here for info, or to donate.
— Families of St. Mary's County Public Schools that have lost or reduced income due to any change in family circumstances, including the shutdown, may immediately apply for their children to receive free or reduced-price meals. The application for the FARMs program is available online; copies are also available in each school. Call 301-475-4256 ext. 5 with any questions.
Get Temporary Employment: Some school districts are offering short- and long-term employment opportunities.
— Prince George’s County Public Schools is looking to expedite hiring of federal employees who have been furloughed to fill positions as substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals. The next PGCPS hiring event is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 25. Go here for more information on applying.
Help for Federal Employees Who Work at BWI Marshall Airport: The 600+ federal employees who work at BWI Marshall Airport can receive discounts on meals, free chair massages, free grocery items and more. Concession participants include Subway, Jamba Juice, Pinkberry and more. The airport is also hosting a food drive for affected workers. Those who want to donate to the food drive can bring non-perishable items to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the lower level of the BWI Marshall Airport.
The Phillips Collection n
Where: 1600 21st St. NWn
How Much: Adults $12; students & seniors $10; youth & members free.n
It may not be a Smithsonian or on the National Mall, but you can still find some of the world's most unique and incredible works of art. In the museum's sprawling collection of over 3,000 works, see world-renowned paintings such as Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and lose yourself in the Rothko Room, a room (as the name implies) dedicated to abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. Sit and stay awhile. Federal workers with an ID can enter for free.
Where: 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, Maryland
How Much: Adults $7; kids & seniors $5.n
Experience what it was like when streetcars ruled the rails by riding one of the still-operational cars at the National Capital Trolley Museum. Tracks take visitors on a short journey around the museum's campus. In addition to the rides, the museum features exhibits, antique route maps, and a collection of historic streetcars from D.C. as well as from other U.S. and Canadian cities. It's open on Saturdays and Sundays, and for special event days.
Where: 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Free.n
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organzation that works to promote appreciation of America's independence. The museum focuses on all things related to the American Revolution. You'll find antique tapestries, sculptures, portraits and more.
Where: 444 E St. NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Prices are $14.95 for kids and $21.95 for a regular adult ticketn
The newly opened National Law Enforcement Museum showcases the process of law enforcement through exhibits highlighting daring undercover operations, heroic rescues and troublesome prison histories. Here's a preview of what's inside.
Where: 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, Marylandn
How Much: Free.n
From antique microscopes to jars of preserved human specimens to the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, the National Museum of Health and Medicine provides visitors a deeper understanding of medicine's past and its future. The Silver Spring institution has been operating since the 1860s and has a special focus on American military medicine. Note that the museum's collection contains quite a few human-related specimens that may not be suitable for small kids or anyone with a delicate stomach. If you're feeling up for it, though, you'll likely find the displays fascinating. Visitors can also see a portion of a trauma bay used to treat soldiers in Iraq as part of its "Advances in Military Medicine" exhibit.
Where: 437 7th St. NWn
How Much: Adults $9.50; students $7; seniors & military $8.50; kids free.n
If it weren't for a chance discovery during a demolition inspection of an old shoe store on 7th Street, about 1,000 artifacts left behind by the woman who founded the American Red Cross would have been lost forever. Clara Barton lived in and opened her Missing Soldiers Office in the building after the Civil War to help reunite families with their loved ones. Today, visitors can tour the restored building and learn the story of the "Angel of the Battlefield." The museum also hosts events throughout the year including concerts, presentations and even amputation demonstrations. It's open regularly from Thursday to Saturday.
Where: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Buy your tickets online during the shutdown for a 15 percent discount: $21.21 for adults and $12.71 for kids aged 7 to 18.n
The Newseum highlights the old and latest in journalism and news. Current exhibits look back the Civil Rights movement in 1968, segments of the Berlin Wall and the editorial cartoons of Michael Sloan and Jake Halpern.
Where: 1250 New York Ave. NWn
How Much: Adults $10; seniors & students: $8; museum members & youth free.n
This museum is billed as the only one in the world that holds a collection of 4,500 works of art created exclusively by female artists. The collection features present-day artists, but some of its earliest pieces date to 16th century. One of its most prominent artists is 19th century impressionist Mary Cassatt. whose later works focused on the theme of mother and child. Visitors to the museum this summer can see the Heavy Metal, a series featuring artists who created sculptures, jewelry and other objects in metal.
Where: 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, Marylandn
How Much: Adults $20; seniors (age 60+) $17; kids (ages 2-12) $12; furloughed federal workers can flash their ID for free entry through the shutdown.n
Ride the (historic) rails! One of the world's largest collections of railroad artifacts and locomotives is in Baltimore at the B&O Railroad Museum, where you can take a ride along the first commercial mile of train track ever laid in the U.S. The historic train station and workshops date back to 1829, and the site is considered by some to be the birthplace of American railroading, the museum says. In addition to seeing historic locomotives and other train vehicles, you'll also find smaller artifacts and can search for ancestors in B&O's employee records.
Where: 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, Virginian
How Much: Suggested $2 donation.n
In the building that once housed Alexandria's segregated library, the Alexandria Black History Museum uses exhibits to tell the story of the African-American Alexandrians during slavery, the Civil War and post-Civil War era. This summer, visitors can also check out a collection of African American dollhouses and miniatures depicting African-American life in Alexandria and Virginia. In addition to the museum's main building, visitors can check out the Watson Reading Room and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park, a satellite location that includes a sculpture garden and a one-acre 19th century African-American cemetery.
Where: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Marylandn
How Much: Adults $15.95; seniors $13.95; students, kids & veterans $9.95; active military, members & kids under 6 free.n
If you feel like a mini-road trip, consider visiting the eye-popping collections at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, featuring an eclectic mix of sculptures, mosaics and paintings. Curators take special attention to add work by self-taught artists to the collection. Because the museum's mission is to preserve "outsider art," you'll discover a mind-bending group of pieces that run the gamut from sculptures built from scrap metal to giant neon lights. Don't miss the gift shop.
Where: 400 4th St. SW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Tickets for children over 7 cost $9.99 online and $14.99 for walk up. Regular adult tickets are $19.99 online and $24.99 at the door.n
The Museum of the Bible opened its 40-foot Gutenberg Gates in 2017, welcoming anyone interested in a biblical perspective on history. With lots of kid-oriented exhibits and historic artifacts on loan from Israel's esteemed official collection, the museum is a good bet near the National Mall.
Where: 4519 Rhode Island Ave., North Brentwood, Marylandn
How Much: Tours are $5 per person.n
The museum and cultural center is located in North Brentwood and hosts an array of exhibits focusing on cultural and historical contributions of its African-American community. The museum has several exhibitions including "Footsteps from North Brentwood." The exhibit was first displayed in the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum. It features historical information, photographs, interviews and memorabilia about North Brentwood, a town first settled by African-American Civil War veterans.
Where: 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington D.C.
How Much: $10 suggested donation for a regular adult ticketn
The Kreeger Museum features a collection of modern art, ranging from painting to sculpture. You can also walk through the sculpture garden.
Where: 105 N. Union St., #327, Alexandria, Virginian
How Much: Free.n
Over the years, Alexandria residents, workers and developers have uncovered thousands of artifacts in the historic city. The museum's collection contains more than 2,000 items including parts of ships, ceramics, wooden toys, leather items and other relics that tells the story of Alexandria's past. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the people that lived and visited Alexandria from prehistoric times all the way to the 20th century.
Where: 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Regular admission starts at $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and military and $8 for kids.n
The current interactive exhibit, New Nature by Marpi, is open through Jan. 13. Wave your hands to pet a digital plant that makes music, tap your smartphone to feed a larger-than-life beast illuminated on the wall and enjoy beautiful lights at this art exhibit that's probably unlike anything else you've seen. It's a good option for kids during the day, and hosts adults-only hours at night.
Virginia
Get Temporary Employment:
— Stafford County Public Schools will host a Pop Up Substitute Workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at 31 Stafford Ave. in Stafford for furloughed federal workers. The workshop is open to anyone 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school system needs substitutes for teachers, paraprofessionals and nurses (RN required).
Free Class: Furloughed federal employees and contractors can take a free (non-credit) class through Northern Virginia Community College's Workforce and Economic Development Office. They can choose from select Business & Management, IT & Computer Skills, and Professional Development classes. See the list of available classes here.
Help Paying Your Water Bill: If you're a furloughed federal employee who lives in Arlington and you're having trouble paying your water bill, there's help available. The county is allowing extended payments without late fees. For info, go here or call 703-228-6570.
Help From Falls Church Schools: Falls Church City Public Schools is offering help paying for school lunches, tuition and day care. School social workers are available to families as well. Go here for info.
Help Feeding Your Pet: The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has opened a pet food pantry for government workers who need help and live in Arlington County or the City of Falls Church. People who request help need to show government ID. Go to AWLA's website for info.
Help With Food in Alexandria: Visit Alexandria's Food Assistance and Other Resources page for information about food assistance resources in Alexandria, including a directory of free programs.
Help From Alexandria Schools: You can apply online or download an application to apply for free or reduced-price lunches for students. Parents or guardians not receiving income must indicate their income as zero, "0" or leave the field blank. If your household previously applied and was denied during this school year, you must submit documentation, such as proof indicating you are affected by the government shutdown or recent pay stubs. For more information, contact ACPS School Nutrition Services at 703-619-8407.
Get Temporary Employment: A few school districts are offering short- and long-term employment opportunities.
— Falls Church City Public Schools is looking to hire furloughed federal employees as substitute teachers and bus drivers. Interested candidates should contact Amy Hall at 703-248-5600.
— Prince William County Public Schools is encouraging furloughed employees to work for PWCS in either part-time or full-time capacities as substitute teachers or school bus drivers. Go here for more information on applying.
In addition to resources for paying your bills or helping your family, many freebies and discounts are available at restaurants, museums and music venues in the D.C. area. Go here to see the running list.
Know of a resource we should add? Email us as tips@nbcwashington.com.
