From free rides to free bread, Kitsap County residents, small business owners and local agencies are rallying to support those who are affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

Kitsap Transit announced Oct. 22 that all federal employees who present a government-issued ID can ride free on all services starting Oct. 24, while the shutdown continues.

The temporary fare waiver applies to bus, ferry, and paratransit services, as well as vanpools and worker-driver routes.

“We recognize that many federal government employees in our community are essential and still on duty but may face loss of pay or commuting benefits during the shutdown,” said John Clauson, executive director of Kitsap Transit. “Supporting the federal workforce is the right thing to do, and we believe this provides some relief to workers and their families.”

When the shutdown ends, the transit agencies plan to resume collecting fares from federal employees.

Food bank adjusts to rising need

At Bremerton Foodline, staff extended special evening hours to better serve military/federal individuals and families impacted by the shutdown. Development director Morgan Huffman said the decision came after recognizing that many federal employees can’t visit during normal hours — and that many are coming to the food bank for the first time.

“We recognize that there’s definitely a need there, specifically because a lot of federal employees don’t even get off work until 4 o’clock in the afternoon,” Huffman said. “We also wanted to provide a discreet shopping experience for them because we already know that it’s really hard to visit a food bank.”

Huffman said the food bank has long discussed expanding its hours for working families, but the sudden surge in need made it clear they had to act now.

“The need’s been so heavy with military and federal workers, we were like, we need to implement this now,” she said.

Meeting the growing demand has been challenging. Huffman said the organization is working closely with other agencies to ensure supplies last.

“Right now, we’re sustaining. We’re constantly reevaluating where we’re at and whether we can sustain it for the long term,” she said. “Especially with SNAP and WIC benefits being cut soon, we’re preparing to partner with larger organizations to help fund diapers and formula.”

So far this month, Bremerton Foodline has seen a dramatic increase in new clients. Huffman said on average, they typically have about 200 new families a month. “This month alone, we’ve had an additional 137 brand new households — mostly military and federal employees,” she said.

She added that the community’s response has been “incredible — and very emotional.”

“Kitsap County altogether is just a very unique community,” Huffman said. “Whenever we’ve had situations arise such as this, you see the most beautiful community coming together.”

Bremerton steps in to assist federal workers

The city of Bremerton has also taken steps to support affected families. Beginning the day of the federal shutdown, Mayor Greg Wheeler directed his administration to implement protocols for the city to assist workers and their families.

“Working with affected federal workers has been something we’ve been doing since day one of the federal shutdown. We are committed to working with employees and their families, and reaching out to partners and other agencies to provide assistance during this time,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler has been in communication with Jennifer Herbig, executive director of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, to ensure that all impacted workers at the Bremerton shipyard are covered until the shutdown ends. The city is also working to assist employees at other federal agencies affected by the shutdown.

“We wanted to take steps from the beginning to help support our affected federal workforce who are contributing to our national security, providing essential services and continuing to work and serve the public during the shutdown,” Wheeler said.

Some of the city’s earliest efforts have included working with federal employees to defer utility bills. Impacted workers with questions about their utility bills can contact the Utility Billing office at 360-473-5316 or billing@ci.bremerton.wa.us. For questions about trash and recycling billing, contact melinda.monroe@ci.bremerton.wa.us.

Other efforts

Across the county, residents have also taken to social media to organize donation drives, share resources and offer a helping hand.

At the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, local union members are collecting food donations for employees in need. A drop-off area has been set up at Kitsap Credit Union in downtown Bremerton and inside the shipyard at trailer 23708—three trailers behind the mini NEX near Building 435.

Abundant Life Foursquare Church in East Bremerton also expanded its Mobile Food Bank Oct. 18 to serve all federal employees and military families. Volunteers distributed fresh food at Viewcrest Village Apartments, offering what they described as “fresh food, no strings attached.”

Sauce Nouvelle Bistro, which has locations in Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island, announced on social media that it would feed any government workers affected by the shutdown, allowing customers to “pay what you can — or not at all.

“To my government and local community, if you’re not getting paid right now, I’d like to invite you to come to our restaurant,” said chef Nicolas Ganea in a post. “You’re hurting, we are hurting, and we want to support you in this hard time.”

In Bremerton, Manette Sourdough Stand offered free half-loaves of bread to anyone impacted by the shutdown, with original, everything bagel and rosemary garlic varieties available from Oct. 20–22.

“We’re all in this together — and everyone deserves good bread,” the post read.

In Port Orchard, Holly Smith, owner of Holldays Coffee House in the Town Square, said her café’s long-running “Pay It Forward” board has continued to serve as a lifeline for those in need.

The board allows customers to pre-purchase drinks or meals for others, which are displayed as tickets for anyone to redeem — no questions asked.

“The whole purpose is to help anybody who’s struggling — whether it’s someone down on their luck or just having a bad day,” Smith said in an interview. “We don’t ask questions. We just make their order like anyone else.”

Smith, who grew up in Port Orchard, said the shutdown has affected both her customers and other local businesses.

“Our community is heavily tied to the shipyard and the military, so we’re all feeling it,” she said. “People are really penny-pinching. Sales are down, but we’re all just trying to push through as best we can.”

Holldays is also offering 10% off for anyone impacted by the furlough, along with free snacks near the “Pay It Forward” board.

“These are my neighbors,” Smith said. “I grew up here. This is my way of giving back.”