Hucker Organizes Potluck for Furloughed Federal Workers, Contractors

Furloughed federal workers and government contractors have been invited to a community potluck — with food from local restaurants and entertainment from local musicians.

Organized by Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker, the “Shutdown Social” takes place 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 11, at the Montgomery Blair High School cafeteria, 51 University Blvd. E, Silver Spring.

The free dinner is offered to federal employees and their families. Hucker’s office encourages federal employees and contractors affected by the shutdown to RSVP online at tomhucker.com/potluck.

In a statement, Hucker said the event has been scheduled to show the community supports the workers.

Other county residents are invited to attend and bring a dish to share with the workers, who are not expected to contribute to the dinner. Local musician Joe Uehlein of the U-Liners is organizing a series of performers to provide live music.

Hucker has organized many local restaurants to donate food and drinks, including All Set Restaurant & Bar, El Golfo, Fire Station One, Ghar-e-Kabab, Kin Da, McGinty’s Pub, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Pacci’s Pizza, Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant and the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-op.

Many of these establishments also participate in the annual Silver Spring-Takoma Park Restaurant Week that Hucker organizes every September.

In a statement, Hucker said: “Providing even just one extra meal can make a difference to these workers. Ours is the kind of community where neighbors help neighbors. Many people are asking how they can help these workers and their families. At this potluck, we can all show both our financial and emotional support for these workers whose lives have been disrupted through no fault of their own.”

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