Our region has a disproportionate number of federal workers and last Friday many of them went without a paycheck for the first time under the shutdown. Thousands have turned to GoFundMe pages while others are selling their belongings on Craigslist.
According to a spokesperson for GoFundMe, the website has seen about 1,000 different campaigns raising around $200,000. From a single mom in Colorado Springs to a family in Salt Lake City, they're asking for help with medical bills and rent.
Local businesses are also trying to help out. Emily Madden manages crowbar restaurant in Laramie, Wyoming. It's offering discounted meals to federal workers and their families.
"We feel like it's unfair that 800,000 people across the country aren't getting a paycheck and we wanted to do our small part to give back," she said.
Food banks across the region are also helping out and offering services specifically for impacted federal employees.This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, Yellowstone Public Radio in Montana, KUER in Salt Lake City and KRCC and KUNC in Colorado.
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