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Coast Guard families pick up food at Mayport United Service Organization

Families are continuing to feel the impact of the federal government shutdown throughout the area.

Those affected include members of the U.S. Coast Guard and their families.

Sarah Almada never thought the shutdown would go on for this long.

"It’s surprising, but there’s nothing much we can do about it," she said.

Almada is even working an extra job to support her family.

"Just babysitting an extra kid, I have four of my own so an extra kid just helping out as much as I can," said Almada.

Her husband has been with the Coast Guard for 10 years but because he hasn’t been paid in almost a month, she made a trip to the Mayport USO to pick up food for her family.

"Cereal, Nutrigrain bars, just things that help out -- vegetables everything that you can think of pretty much," she said.

On top of the food distribution, the USO also loaded up trucks filled with food to help support nearly 800 Coast Guard families in Northeast Florida.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: 

One USO truck headed to Cape Canaveral on Friday morning.

John Eister is with the Chief Petty Officer Association and although he’s not getting a paycheck  he wanted to volunteer to make sure the younger coast Guard members get the food they need.

“We’re out there doing the mission every day and I think it’s just important, too. It relieves some stress of the younger members and make sure they have food on their table,” said Eister.

The Mayport USO tells Action News Jax, the items that families are most in need of include diapers, baby food and food for pets.

Mayport USO will be accepting donations after 9 a.m. Tuesday.