Councilmember Tom Hucker (D-District 5) is organizing a free community potluck dinner for furloughed government employees and contractors affected by the government shutdown.

The “Shutdown Social” will be held Friday, Jan. 11 in the Montgomery Blair High School cafeteria at 51 University Blvd. E.

A number of local restaurants are donating food and drinks for the dinner, including All Set Restaurant & Bar, El Golfo, Fire Station One, Ghar-e-Kabab, Kin Da, Manna Food Center, McGinty’s Pub, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Pacci’s Pizza, Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant and the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-op.

In addition, local musician Joe Uehlein of the U-Liners is organizing a series of performers to provide live music at the dinner.

“Due to the outrageous shutdown, tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors have had their lives completely turned upside down, and some have been unfairly attacked,” Hucker said in a press release. “Many are concerned about paying their bills, and many more are severely cutting back on expenses until they know when they will be paid again.

“Montgomery County is a caring and supportive community that values our federal workers. At a time of such widespread anxiety, I’m so grateful to all the restaurants and musicians who are stepping up to stand with our federal workers and to provide them with a fun night out with their families,” he added.

Other residents are invited to attend and bring a dish to share with the workers (who are not expected to contribute to the dinner).

Federal employees and contractors affected by the shutdown and who would like to attend should RSVP online at tomhucker.com/potluck.

Illustration from a graphic courtesy Councilmember Hucker.