Local Nonprofit Provides Aid to Area Military Families During Government Shutdown

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/11/3/510777/Local-Nonprofit-Provides-Aid-To-Area.aspx

Monday, November 3, 2025

Friends Of The Troops, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit, is fulfilling the needs of area service members and their families during the government shutdown, as support requests have skyrocketed over the past few weeks.
 
The organization, which supports deployed troops, veterans and stateside service members, has seen unprecedented need from the area’s military families since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1. The nonprofit has ramped up efforts to help those struggling to cover rent, utilities, groceries and basic needs due to missed paychecks.

But they need the community’s help to keep up with the demand.
 
Officials said, "While most Active Duty troops have been paid so far, those hit the hardest are the area’s Reserve and National Guard members, who had drills cancelled and accompanying paychecks withheld. Many service members rely on these checks to cover at least one bill, groceries or a portion of rent.
 
"Also affected in our area are those in uniform working full-time hours but not drawing paychecks, including those considered Technicians. Others were furloughed. An additional challenge is that even after the government shutdown ends, it will still be another pay period —about two weeks —before any of these service members see their first paycheck. 
 
"The ability of Friends Of The Troops to help these military families in crisis relies on the public’s support. The organization receives no government or similar entity funding. Due to an increased number of families needing assistance now and moving into the holiday season, they need and are seeking the community’s support—from individual donors, churches, community organizations, and area businesses. Service members and their families who receive assistance are referred to the organization through a unit commander, chaplain or other point of contact, including VFW and American Legion Posts, with the most severe cases taking priority."
 
CEO Jessica Duke said, “Some of the headlines we’re seeing on the news don’t tell the whole story. It’s wonderful that most of our active duty troops are being paid during the shutdown, and we hope they won’t experience pay disruptions. But there are still hundreds of thousands of service members in Guard and Reserve units who haven’t received a paycheck since the shutdown started over a month ago. Many of these service members, especially those of lower rank, are truly struggling to afford basic necessities. We’ve even had two troops referred to us for assistance, who are living in their cars. No one serving our country should be homeless, and we are partnering with other organizations to try to get these troops and their families taken care of. Any support from our community would be amazing. Our troops do so much for us. It’s time we all step up to support them in their time of need. Even after the shutdown ends, we will continue to have military families referred to us for emergency help throughout the year.”
 
This past week, Friends Of The Troops received the Best of Tennessee 2025 Charitable Organization Award by Guide to Tennessee. This year, they’ve also won the Platinum Award in the Nonprofit Category and the Gold Award in the Community Organization Category by CommunityVotes Chattanooga. Over 98 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to supporting troops and their families, officials said.
 
For more information about Friends Of The Troops or to inquire about how you can help, visit their website at www.friendsofthetroops.org or call 423-599-9901.