Here’s how to help federal workers who aren’t getting paid during the shutdown

As the federal government shutdown nears its fourth week, with no end in sight, furloughed federal workers are facing increasing financial strain.

An estimated 25,000 federal employees in Massachusetts have been furloughed or are working without pay because of the shutdown, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, a union of federal workers. Federal workers acutely feeling the shutdown’s effects are already turning to their savings, short-term loans, and community resources to make ends meet.

Both furloughed and excepted federal workers typically receive back pay once funding is restored, although President Trump has threatened not to follow that precedent. In the meantime, credit unions across the country are offering short-term loans to federal workers, and charitable organizations have expressed support for furloughed employees.

Here are a few ways to help federal workers who aren’t getting paid during the shutdown.

Support a local food bank

Some food banks in Massachusetts have highlighted the needs of federal workers during an extended government shutdown.

The Greater Boston Food Bank said that when federal workers don’t get paid, they may turn to local food pantries for assistance. Over 600 community-based pantries and other local partners depend on the Greater Boston Food Bank for food, according to the organization’s website.

“Any government shutdown will only exacerbate the problem of hunger, which has been increasing in Massachusetts, with 1 in 3 people experiencing food insecurity in the past year,” the organization said in a statement published at the beginning of the shutdown.

Donations to the food bank can help strengthen the charitable food system, a representative for the organization said in an email. The Greater Boston Food Bank accepts donations by check or online.

Project Bread, a statewide organization that advocates for policies that promote food security, said federal workers can call their FoodSource Hotline. The hotline provides free, confidential assistance connecting to SNAP, food pantries, and other resources throughout Massachusetts.

Individuals and organizations looking to support Project Bread can join or donate to the Make Hunger History Coalition, an advocacy group working to end hunger in Massachusetts.

Donate to emergency relief funds

Several specialized funds are dedicated to supporting military families or federal employees.

The Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund, or FEEA, provides emergency financial assistance and scholarships to public servants.

During the government shutdown, FEEA offers shutdown assistance micro-grants of $150 to help cover essentials like groceries, gas, diapers, and other basic necessities, according to the organization’s website. Federal employees facing recent layoffs can also apply for layoff loans if they find themselves in a “vulnerable financial position.”

Robyn Kehoe, executive director at FEEA, said the fund has approved almost 2,000 shutdown grant applications, and are working through another roughly 2,000 submitted.

The organization set aside some reserve funds in case of a shutdown, but Kehoe said FEEA may exhaust those reserve funds as soon as this week. Donations can be made by mailing a check or online via credit card.

Army Emergency Relief, the official nonprofit of the U.S. army, is prepared “to support soldiers in the event of a pay disruption” on the first of next month, according to an update on the group’s website. If soldiers are not paid, they may apply for a government shutdown relief loan. Trump has said he plans to divert funds to ensure military personnel are paid.

The group has received over 15,000 applications for more than $26 million in zero-interest loans, said Sean Ryan, a spokesperson for Army Emergency Relief. Army Emergency Relief accepts donations online by credit card, eCheck, or through PayPal.

Give diapers, wipes to a diaper bank

Federal employees with families may be able to turn to the National Diaper Bank Network for access to diapers and other baby supplies. Several member diaper banks around Massachusetts — including the Ollie Diaper Depot at South Boston Neighborhood House and Bambino Basket in Beverly — have information online about ways to donate or volunteer.

Material from a previous Globe story was used in this report.

Katie Muchnick can be reached at katie.muchnick@globe.com.