Parktown Food Hub | Triangle groups and individuals step up to help neighbors in need from government shutdown

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — As the government reopens, groups and individuals in the Triangle continue to step up to fill in the gaps.

Deanna Conard with Parktown Food Hub described the growing need in the area.

“We had families waiting as early as 11 or 11:30 this morning for a food distribution. Over the past month or so, that’s become increasingly common,” said Conard.

The non-profit partners with the food bank and other organizations like Zakat.

Organizers say they are experiencing quadruple the number of phone calls and messages each day from people looking for support than they were at the start of the year.

“There’s a sense of community, but it’s also quite difficult. We reach a point where we have to turn families away and that’s very hard,” said Conard.

Around 160 families received a box of food and a ready-to-eat hot meal today.

The group says many more are on the waiting list, many families did not receive food benefits because of the shutdown or are struggling to find work.

“We all feel like there should be some solution and not a single person should go hungry, should not sleep hungry,” said Sadia Khalid.

Others are finding solutions to help airport security workers at RDU.

An Apex businessman, who only wanted to go by MG, handed out $20,000 worth of grocery gift cards to TSA employees and air traffic controllers.