Photo courtesy Chris Burch Photography.

As the federal government shutdown enters day four, the ramifications are continuing to ripple through the D.C. area, from hurting food trucks to destroying scientific research.

But in a bright spot from a dark story, some furloughed workers are using the unexpected time on their hands to volunteer for charities. A group of Senate staffers, who asked for their office not to be revealed, used the time this morning to volunteer at Food & Friends, the D.C. nonprofit that makes and delivers meals to people with life challenging illnesses, likes cancer and HIV/AIDS. It’s the same charity where President Obama packed meals earlier this year.

Angela Soriano, service learning coordinator at Food & Friends, said they felt the impact of the shutdown immediately. A number of groups, both from government offices and those associated with the government, had to cancel their appointments. They’re not even allowed to donate, Soriano said.

“We’re scrambling,” Soriano said, adding that they’re reaching out to school groups and individuals to try to fill gaps. It takes about 60 volunteers to make Food & Friends run each day, from Monday through Saturday. That’s just for food prep. For meal delivery, there’s staff drivers that deliver around 60 percent of the meals, which are sent as far north as Hagerstown, Md. and as far south as Fredericksburg, Va. The rest are delivered by individuals.

With a staff of 52, Food & Friends depends on volunteers and welcomed 14,500 last year alone.

But as some organizations cancel, others are calling wanting to help. That’s how the Senate staffers got involved.

Josie, a Senate staffer who did not offer her last name, said she had volunteered there before during a recess break. “It was one of our favorites,” she said, later adding that Food & Friends gets volunteers right to work and keeps them busy, rather than having volunteers stand around. Josie said another staffer in their office set up a group volunteering event at Martha’s Table for today.

“We had been talking about doing more productive things with our time while we’re not at work,” Josie said, adding that Food & Friends helped set something up right away.

“This is something that anyone can do,” fellow Senate staffer Sarah said.

Depending on how long the shutdown goes, Sarah and Josie said they will do more volunteering.

“It’s something productive to do with our time,” Sarah said with Josie adding, “instead of laying in bed watching Netflix.”

“I cleaned by apartment four times now. I can’t sleep anymore,” Sarah said. “At this point every dish I own is clean. I’ve made every meal from scratch.”

“It’s nice to be able to do something where you feel that you’re helping people,” Sarah added. “That’s kind of what I like about [my] job too.”

Craig Shniderman, executive director of Food & Friends since 1995 (which is, coincidentally when the last government shutdown happened), said he’s usually “thrilled” to have volunteers, but this is a “sad circumstance.”

“In my 18 years as director, this is the first time I’m ambivalent about having more volunteers,” he said. “The sadness and the heartache and the chaos of Congress that’s created this. This is not how we want people to come to Food & Friends, but we’re happy to have them.”

On Monday, Food & Friends will celebrate its 25-year anniversary after having served over 23,000 clients more than 16 million meals thanks to countless volunteers.

“The real point of the organization everyday is the work that’s ahead,” Shinderman said. “What really fuels the organization are the challenges of serving the people, some of who aren’t yet born. … We’re here for the long haul.”

Here’s hoping the next 25 years don’t involve too many shutdowns.