Crownsville, Md. — Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman directed $500,000 in emergency funds to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank on Nov. 4, 2025, to bolster food distributions amid the federal government shutdown’s strain on local households. The allocation addresses delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and unpaid wages for federal employees, with distributions launching Nov. 10 at senior centers across the county.
The funding supports weekday events from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or until supplies deplete, offering 500 boxes of nonperishables per site on a first-come, first-served basis. The initial schedule covers Severn on Nov. 10, Shady Side on Nov. 13, Annapolis on Nov. 14 and Glen Burnie on Nov. 15, skipping Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. Officials plan to extend operations through early December, adjusting based on turnout.
Pittman tied the move to the shutdown’s escalation into its fifth week, now surpassing prior records as the longest in U.S. history. “The Trump Administration’s initial refusal to release funding for SNAP has caused delays and uncertainty for families who are trying to get food on the table. That, paired with the number of federal workers and contractors who are not being paid during this shutdown has resulted in a great need for more food assistance,” he said. “Anne Arundel County and our partners will continue to do what we have always done: fill in the gap and protect our people.”
The county hosts one of Maryland’s densest clusters of federal civilians and defense contractors, per U.S. Office of Personnel Management data, largely due to Fort George G. Meade and the National Security Agency in Laurel. This leaves thousands of workers furloughed or unpaid since early October, rippling to small businesses dependent on their spending. A recent Anne Arundel Community College poll indicated economic fallout from federal disruptions ranks as residents’ top concern, with 62 percent citing job stability worries.
SNAP recipients face particular hardship, with 41,847 county residents enrolled, spanning 22,430 households, 17,031 children and 5,231 seniors. Statewide, the program aids over 680,000 Marylanders monthly, including nearly 270,000 children, but federal halts have postponed issuances for thousands. “We know many Anne Arundel County residents — especially federal workers — are feeling the impact of the shutdown,” Pittman added.
Demand at pantries has spiked, with first-time visitors comprising a growing share. “The Anne Arundel County Food Bank and our many pantry partners are seeing a significant increase in attendance at food distributions and in inquiries regarding how to access food and other essential resources during the federal government shutdown,” said Leah Paley, food bank CEO. “Many are first-time participants at a food distribution, and many are working unpaid as part of the civilian federal workforce. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank is grateful for its longstanding partnership with Anne Arundel County Government and for these additional funds. With our many partners, we are committed to serving our neighbors and helping to stem the tide during this crisis and beyond.”
The county’s contribution draws from its $10 million federal disaster response reserve, complementing broader state efforts. Gov. Wes Moore declared a statewide emergency on Oct. 30, unlocking $10 million for food banks to counter SNAP pauses. Maryland’s Department of Human Services issued guidance Nov. 6 for pantries, prioritizing shutdown-affected families. Locally, the food bank partners with over 100 pantries and programs, distributing 8 million pounds of food annually pre-crisis.
This response echoes past shutdowns, like the 35-day impasse of 2018-19 that cost Maryland $130 million in economic activity. Anne Arundel, with 580,000 residents, saw similar aid then, including deferred utility payments and job counseling. Current measures extend to a federal employee assistance portal, linking users to housing, health and employment support.
The shutdown, triggered by budget disputes over border security and disaster aid, has furloughed 800,000 federal workers nationwide and halted services from passport processing to national parks. In Maryland, it disrupts 100,000 federal jobs, with Anne Arundel bearing a disproportionate load. Businesses near the Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn report 20 percent sales drops, as employees skip meals or delay purchases.
For Southern Maryland neighbors in Calvert and Prince George’s counties, the effects compound through shared commutes to bases like Andrews Air Force Base. Regional food insecurity rates hover at 12 percent, per U.S. Department of Agriculture figures, with shutdown delays exacerbating vulnerabilities in adjacent areas.
Pittman’s office monitors weekly, with potential expansions if federal delays persist. The food bank urges eligible residents to apply for SNAP via myDHR portal, despite backlogs, and access 211 for immediate referrals. These steps underscore local government’s role in bridging federal gaps, sustaining communities amid partisan gridlock in Washington.
