Local pastors leading community effort for those affected by shutdown

As the partial government shutdown drags on, 800,000 federal employees are furloughed or working without pay, and 8,200 of those workers affected by the shutdown are in Massachusetts.

Local pastors Willie Bodrick, Rickey Grant and Art Gordon have heard the stories from those impacted by the shutdown, and now say if the government won't act, they will.

"I heard families were in grocery stores swipping EBT cards, cards not working and panic," Rev. Grant from Rescue Church Boston, said.

Putting together a video for Facebook and reacting our to local leaders like Boston city councilor Michelle Wu and Boston City Council president Andrea Capbell, along with community groups like Violence in Boston, they've started the "Sustained in the Shutdown" campaign.

Their GoFundMe goal for the campaign was set for $50,000.

"Although it’s a very discouraging moment in our country’s history, we’re in a 30-day shutdown," Rev. Bodrick of Twelfth Baptist Church. "There are people who are saying, 'We’re going to step up. We’re gonna fill that gap. We’re gonna fill that void.'"

The group is gathering gas cards, groceries and prescription funds, and the pastors say the effort isn't just for members of Boston's faith community, saying it's simply a community effort.

>>RELATED: Pelosi to Trump: No State of the Union until shutdown is over

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins' office and the mayor have offered collaborative and administrative support, and sent letters to pastors across the city.

"Coming to the table and saying we can unify, regardless of political belief, regardless of where we stand on the issue," Rev. Grant said. "The issue of people are hungry is all of our issue. I don’t know whether to pay for rent or pay of insulin, that’s an issue for all of us."

Cox Media Group