The government shutdown’s effects are being felt throughout the Arlington area. Compounded by job losses through reductions in force since January and the end of salary payments through the “fork in the road” offer Oct. 1, many residents are in a tight spot. The following local businesses, nonprofits, public schools and municipal governments are offering help in the form of job fairs, discounts and deals.
Updated Nov. 11.
FEDSgiving 2025: A Feast of Gratitude and Community
The Government Technology and Services Coalition is cooking up a new Thanksgiving tradition: a meal to celebrate hard-working federal employees. Founded by Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO of the nonprofit, the Nov. 16, noon-4 p.m., feast is free for current and former federal employees; industry and comminity partners pay a nominal fee to attend to help defray costs. The event includes a full Thanksgiving meal with cocktails and apps, plus crafts and face-painting for kiddos. Registration is required. Lyon Park Community Center, 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington
Astro Beer Hall
Donate canned food and get a complimentary can of beer Nov. 14, 4-7 p.m. The drive will support the Arlington Food Assistance Center and Capital Area Food Bank. 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Federal Worker Appreciation Day
Westover Farmers Market will host a morning of gratitude Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-noon, with market vendors giving discounts and specials to feds. Some of the Westover businesses will donate gift cards for them too. 1644 McKinley Road, Arlington (Westover)
Taqueria Cancun
Get some tacos on the house at this Falls Church restaurant, another spot with a buy one, give one board of meals. 7810 Lee Highway, Falls Church
Ireland’s Four Provinces
Children 10 and younger who order from the kids menu get their meal for free. Plus, the restaurant has a give one, take one board for people who want to contribute a meal to someone in need or who need assitance. 105 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Giant Food and D.C. United Foundation
The grocery chain and the charitable arm of D.C.’s pro soccer team will give away 1,000 holiday meal kits to people in need this month. Each kit will include a turkey breast, Giant Food gift card, fresh produce and nonperishable sides, plus a special, chef-created spice blend. Federal workers and SNAP recipients may reserve a kit through this sign-up form and pick up the goods in person Nov. 25 at the Giant at 1400 Seventh St., NW, Washington, D.C. Additionally, Giant will provide 7,800 whole turkeys, 7,500 turkey breasts and 4,000 pumpkin pies to people in the region and distribute $25,000 in Giant Food gift cards to first responders and veterans for the upcoming holiday.
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack
David and Rebecca Tax, the sibling owners of this eatery, have launched a Feed the Feds board. On it are pre-purchased meals that workers in need can enjoy. “If you have the means and empathy, you can buy a meal for someone else,” the restaurant’s Facebook page invites. 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen
Also owned by the Taxes, this deli is offering free food to furloughed feds with a valid ID. Patrons who can afford it may donate Lazy Mike’s Bucks to help cover the costs. For a $10 donation, affected community members can get any sandwich from the menu. For $5 more, they can also get a drink and fries. 7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Arlington Public Schools’ Free Hot Evening Meals
Starting Nov. 7, APS families can enjoy a free hot meal at Yorktown, Washington-Liberty and Wakefield high schools from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday-Friday (except for Nov. 11, when schools are closed for Veterans Day). Each school will serve 250 meals in its cafeteria to be eaten onsite. Complete this form to help APS determine need
Good Company Doughnuts & Café
All government and federal employees get 10% off their in-store orders until the shutdown ends. Bring a valid ID or other documentation. 672 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston); 1350 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing); and 510 14th St. S, Arlington (Pentagon City)
Chicken Salad Chick
The Falls Church and Fairfax locations of this growing chain are offering a kids eat free program for little ones 12 and younger—no purchase necessary. The deal is good once Virginia’s Emergency Nutrition Assistance program goes into effect Nov. 3 and continues until SNAP benefits are restored statewide. To get the meal, children must be present. 7505 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, and 13057 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
Dogma Dog Bakery & Boutique
Struggling to buy food for your pets? Furloughed workers can email the store at shirlington@dogmabakery.com to let staff know what food they need. Someone will respond when the food is in stock and available for pickup as a “special order.” To help with this cause, consider participating in the “buy one, give one” program—purchasing from a list of needed foods. 2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Harvey’s
This Falls Church restaurant started offering 25% off any meal Oct. 25, with the discount increasing by 1% for each day the shutdown continues. Chef and owner Thomas Harvey invites the community and members of Congress to participate through the “Feed the Furloughed” board, paying forward a meal for someone in need. The restaurant will donate any unclaimed meals to Doorways, a nonprofit that supports survivors of domestic violence. The program will continue while the shutdown lasts. 513 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Nue Elegantly Vietnamese
Get $5 off cocktails, $3 off glasses of wine and $2 off beer during happy hour. It runs weekdays, 4-6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:30-11:30 p.m. Mention this Instagram post to get the deal. 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Palette 22
Federal employees can get half off food and non-alcoholic beverages. Just show your federal ID or badge at this Shirlington restaurant. 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
NiHao
Chef Peter Chang has a BOGO deal on dishes during happy hour, which is weekdays 4-6 p.m. Our food critic recommends the dry-pot chili shrimp, among other dishes. 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Small Angels Rescue
If you’re a furloughed fed who needs help feeding your pet, contact this organization. Include information on the type of pet, what care items you need and the brands you use. A coordinator will respond and have what you need sent to your address. This group works with gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats.
Honeygrow
Federal workers can get 20% off their order at this fast-casual chain. It specializes in customizable stir-fry and salad dishes, plus desserts called honeybars. For example, the Brownie Crumble honeybar comes with strawberries, grapes, milk chocolate chips, brownie crumbles, whipped cream and clover honey. A new location opened last week in Falls Church’s Barcroft Plaza. 8399 Leesburg Pike, Vienna (Tysons), and 6464 Lincolnia Road, Falls Church
The Teal Center
Knead stress away with a discounted massage. Furloughed feds pay $99 for a 60-minute massage on Monday-Thursday until the shutdown ends. 4001 9th St., N., Arlington (Ballston)
Paisano’sÂ
The Arlingtonian-owned local pizza chain is offering 30% off all pizzas for anyone affected by the government shutdown. Use code “TOGETHER” when placing an order and provide a valid government ID. The deal is good throughout the duration of the shutdown. Additionally, the pizzeria is offering more Military Families Food Market & Food Truck Events along with the Veteran Success Resource Group and Great American Community Kitchen. The next one is Nov. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Paisano’s in Lorton (9429 Lorton Market St.)
Mason Arts
George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts is offering free tickets to select performances. They include La Santa Cecilia on Nov. 15, 8 p.m. To get yours, call or go in person to the box office and confirm which agency you work for.
The Toy Nest
Part toy library, part play place, this Falls Church shop is inviting federal workers to bring their children to play for free once a week for one hour on weekdays before 3 p.m. during the government shutdown. Bring your employee ID. 125 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique
Government workers and their family members and friends who need a pick-me-up can enjoy free coffee and tea at this National Landing bistro. 576 S. 23rd St., Arlington (National Landing)
Stellina Pizzeria
Locations of this award-winning local chainlet are offering half off all drinks and all-day happy hour until the shutdown ends. 2800 S. Randolph St., Arlington (Shirlington), 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn) and 1610 Capital One Drive, Tysons
One More Page Books
The independent bookseller is giving free books and puzzles to community members who are affected by the shutdown. “Stop in for a treat, a hug or a place to chill,” a Facebook post states. 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington (East Falls Church)
TalentCapital.AI
Leaders from across the Greater Washington region launched on Oct. 1 a groundbreaking tool to support displaced federal workers. The digital platform offers free job matching, career training, re-skilling, credentialing and coaching. Housed at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, it helps DMV residents navigate career transitions and connect with employment opportunities. Unlike static job boards, it uses agentic AI, a form of artificial intelligence that adapts based on individuals’ skills, location and career goals.
Hyde Social
All drinks are half off daily, 4-7 p.m., for the duration of the shutdown. 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Immigrant Food
Not a fed but still stressed? Everyone can get a classic marg for $5, rather than the usual $12, at this gastroadvocacy eatery. 4245 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Taco Bamba
All locations of this taqueria are offering a buy one, get one deal on tacos during the current government shutdown. To take advantage of the offer, present a valid federal employee ID when placing an order at the restaurant. See website for locations.Â
Thompson Restaurants
Get 20% off through Nov. 21when you show a valid government ID at any of the restaurant group’s 65-plus locations across the DMV. Brands include Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns and more. The discount will remain available until the government reopens. See website for locations.
Compass Coffee
Founded in 2014 in D.C. by two ex-Marines, this coffee shop with a slew of area locations is giving people with a federal ID a free pastry with their drink order. See website for locations.
DuCard Vineyards
If you’re a furloughed fed with unexpected time on your hands, maybe take the one-hour-and-50-minute drive to Etlan, Virginia, to enjoy a glass of free wine. Bring a valid federal ID. 40 Gibson Hollow Lane, Etlan
Rescue Media
This Alexandria-based video production and webcasting company is offering federal employees looking to start a new business or side hustle 25% off a professionally produced 60-second promotional video. The Starter Video Package includes a one-hour studio session, light scripting support, full editing and delivery of a social-media-ready final cut. Offer available through Dec. 31.
Samantha Digital
Arlington County Assistance for Federal Employees and Contractors
“Arlington is working to support federal employees and contractors in our community who may need unanticipated help,” says the county website. Find a local government gig in Arlington County or get free assistance with resumes, cover letters, interviewing and using LinkedIn for networking from the Arlington Employment Center.
Arlington Public Library
The library’s calendar is chock full of worker-focused programs at branches countywide. Attend self-help courses such as Practicing Mindfulness and employment info sessions such as interview workshops and drop-in resume and job search help.
Fairfax County Federal Workforce Resource Hub
Watch this webpage for updates on local resources and employment fairs, plus links to available jobs and help with health care coverage and financial assistance.
Roda
The mechanic that offers free valet pick-up and dropoff is offering affected feds 30% off any auto service, including maintenance and detailing, with code TOGETHER30.