BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — As the government shutdown enters Day 24, more than 7,000 federal employees in Palm Beach County remain without pay — and a local nonprofit is stepping in to help bridge the gap.
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) announced that it will open its Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to all federal workers affected by the shutdown, offering pantry bags and holiday food boxes to those struggling to make ends meet.
“At Boca Helping Hands, we want to offer a helping hand to federal employees,” said Dr. Andrew Hagen, the organization’s Executive Director. “We thought about the federal workers being on leave and many of them would earn more money than would allow them to qualify for our programs, but with no paycheck, we feel like we can get them help.”
The decision comes as many local families face mounting bills with no income. Normally, TEFAP has strict income guidelines, but Hagen said that won’t apply under the current circumstances. “TEFAP has an income guideline, a poverty level guideline, but we feel like if they’re not getting a check, then their income is zero at this moment, so they’re welcome,” he explained.
Federal employees — whether furloughed or working without pay — can visit any Boca Helping Hands location to receive pantry bags filled with fresh bread, pasta, beans, canned goods, produce, and frozen meats. Registration takes place on-site, and workers must bring a valid government ID or proof of federal employment.
The nonprofit is also including federal employees in its Thanksgiving Box Brigade through October 31, which provides a full Thanksgiving meal — including a turkey and fixings — for qualifying families.
“Missing a paycheck is huge,” Hagen said. “Missing two paychecks is frightening, so we’ll be here for them.”
Boca Helping Hands operates out of the Remillard Family Resource Center in Boca Raton and runs multiple mobile distribution sites across Palm Beach County. The organization has long been a safety net for local residents facing food insecurity, but this expansion underscores its role as a community anchor during crisis.
“Our goal,” Hagen said, “is to bridge the gap for our local federal workers.”
Residents seeking assistance or looking to donate can call 561-417-0913 or visit bocahelpinghands.org.
