SAN ANTONIO — The expenses are beginning to pile up for Arthur Trevino. His job in facility management at Federal Correctional Institution Three Rivers has paid a dime since the end of December because of the partial government shutdown.
"We're struggling. Every single one of us at the prison are struggling," Trevino said.
Trevino is a native of San Antonio. He lives in Poteet. The 52-year-old is taking a hard look at his expenses. He's wondering how long he can keep his six-year-old daughter out in private school. A blessing for tuition assistance could come from his archdiocese. But what about her dancing lessons?
"All of that is jeopardy," He said.
His mother has Parkinson's disease and dementia. She lives with his sister. Trevino said he can no longer give financial assistance to help with his own mother.
Getting a part-time is out of the question for most correctional workers because their shifts are 10 hours or longer. Some of them commute long distances.
"Where can they find the time for a part-time job?" He asked.
The west San Antonio native finds it hard to break his pride to ask for help. Friday he took advantage of care packages from the San Antonio Food Bank.
"It means a lot because that's just one meal or two or basic care that we don't have to worry about," He said.
Eric Cooper is used to managing the food bank's resources for natural disasters and summers where children go hungry. But this situation is unique. The impasse between President Trump and the Democratic House of Representatives does not seem to have an expiration date.
"We're anxious. We're nervous. We're trying to figure out how long this shutdown is going to continue," Cooper said.
He maintains the sky isn't falling at the food bank. But they are not sure of the demand during what he describes as a man-made disaster.
Cooper said hundreds of federal workers have taken advantage of the care packages. Workers with federal work identification can get perishable and non-perishable food.
Some toiletries are available, pet food and even hay for horses.
"Doesn't matter what I used to make. Doesn't matter what I used to have," Cooper said. Doesn't matter if I have a job. If you don't have food you're hungry."
The food bank is open Monday-Saturday from 8-3 pm. The program to assist federal workers is on the food bank's website. It also lists opportunities to donate and volunteer.
Meantime, Trevino is waiting for the day when the government reopens.