(Baltimore, MD) -- Baltimore is rolling out more than $4.6 million in local relief as the federal government shutdown threatens food assistance and paychecks for thousands of residents.
Mayor Brandon Scott says the funds will support food distribution, rental aid, and child care for affected families and federal workers.
Once again, working people in our city and across the country are paying the price of Trump and Republicans' incompetence," said Scott. "We're talking about folks having their food, housing, child care, and health care ripped away from them. While we don't have the funds to fill every gap left by the shutdown, we're going to do everything we can to support our residents. Our hope is that this package will help Baltimoreans put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, and care for our youngest residents- and I want to thank all of the community partners stepping up to support this work."
About $1.7 million will go to local food programs, while another million will help cover rent for federal employees and those in subsidized housing.
Maryland is also joining 22 other states in suing the USDA, claiming the suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful.
State officials warn the lapse could leave more than 680,000 Marylanders without food assistance by next month.
24/7 News Source contributed to the information in this report.
