Maryland church offers help, hugs to workers affected by government shutdown: 'We will all get through it'

A volunteer hands out food and supplies to furloughed government workers affected by the shutdown at World Central Kitchen, the not-for-profit organization started by Chef Jose Andres, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019 in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A church in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, whose county has the largest concentration of federal employees in the nation, turned its congregation into a center of hope and help for furloughed government workers.

On Monday, the church brought in agencies helping those affected by the partial government shutdown and offered money, help and hugs to furloughed workers.

“We don’t want anybody to leave feeling the way they did when they came in,” Pastor Tony Lee told the hundreds of furloughed workers at the meeting, The Washington Post reported.

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Community of Hope AME Church, a "hip hope" congregation, lived up to its name.

The church's slogan is "Where everyone has a chance." For many furloughed employees, it was one of the first times they were on the other end of a helping hand.

“I’m used to being the giver, a person who helps others,” one woman told the town hall. “Now I have to be a receiver, and I don’t know where to go to receive anything. Where do I get money for medication? I have headaches and wake up at night with heart palpitations. I’ve never had to withstand anything like this.”

Those around her quickly embraced her as Lee handed her some money and directed her to representatives from several social service agencies in the back.

The church was the first independent black church in the United States, founded by Richard Allen, who was born into slavery but freed and founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816. Other churches and ministries in the area also pitched in to help, offering daycare services, food and money to those who have not been getting paid for work.

Some federal workers have gotten really creative in the last 30-or-so days, turning what could be a stumbling block into a stepping stone to help others.

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Jaqi Wright and Nikki Howard, who call themselves the “Furlough Sisters,” started a dessert business, specializing in “Furlough cheesecake,” which they operate out of a home and it goes as quickly as they can make it. The two handed out gift cards that could be redeemed at gas stations for anyone who has to drive to work.

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“We want folks to leave here with a sense of hope," Lee told WAMU. "Even though we know someone may be in the White House, we know that God is on the throne.”