On November 4, 2025, as the federal government shutdown officially surpassed all previous records to become the longest in history, FedChoice Federal Credit Union stepped forward to support affected federal employees at its Lanham, MD location. The initiative was designed to address the immediate health and financial stress faced by furloughed employees by providing support for the mind, body, and wallet.

Immediate Relief Provided

FedChoice hosted a free lunch event, bringing in two local food trucks to serve delicious meals. Furloughed federal employees only needed to present their badge or furlough letter to receive a complimentary meal that day.

“FedChoice was built by and for federal employees,” said Brett Noll, President/CEO of FedChoice. “We are here for them during good times and I’m proud to see our credit union step up to help the federal community get through this very challenging situation.”

The Credit Union was moved by the urgent needs expressed by attendees, many of whom shared concerns about relying on food banks or affording basic necessities like gasoline. FedChoice was pleased to offer this respite to both members and non-members alike.

Holistic and Emotional Support

Beyond immediate financial relief, FedChoice partnered with Transcend Clinical Services to offer on-site Strategic Wellness Check-ins. This provided employees experiencing emotional strain during the record-setting shutdown with immediate access to vital mental health support.

“You may not be able to control the storm,” said Alexis Jones, Founder/CEO of Transcend Clinical Services, “but you can always control how you care for yourself in it.”

The presence of non-member attendees also allowed for new connections to be created within the community. Attendees expressed gratitude for the relief, with one person asking when FedChoice would be hosting the event again, underscoring the deep need for such support during the ongoing funding lapse.