Sure, there are discounted burgers or free museum tickets in the area for furloughed federal workers to take advantage of, but Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker had a feeling that folks hit by the shutdown needed a little more comfort.

“While most of us might enjoy some time away from work, they can’t spend any money because they don’t know when they’re gonna get paid again,” says Hucker, a Democrat representing Montgomery County’s fifth district. “They can’t go shopping, they can’t work on their house, they can’t go on a trip. This is very uncertain and stressful.”

He’s hoping his Shutdown Social potluck at the Blair High School cafeteria on Friday can help.

“Let’s let feds who haven’t been able to take families out to a nice meal come to a public space and have their neighbors bring them a home cooked meal,” he says.

Since hatching the idea earlier this week, more than 250 people have RSVP’d to the potluck, and Hucker and his team have recruited a dozen restaurants and a few musicians to perform. Blair High School waived its typical fee to reserve the space, and all contributors are donating food and time, Hucker says, keeping the event free for the county.

While those who aren’t federal workers are asked to bring a dish to share, furloughed attendees and their families are welcome to come empty-handed.

In addition to dishes from neighbors, the potluck is also expecting Italian food from Pacci’s, Latin and Mexican dishes from El Golfo, Thai from Kin Da, pub fare from McGinty’s Public House, and Haitian cuisine from Silver Spring newcomer Port-au-Prince. As for entertainment, Joe Uehlein, singer and guitarist for the Maryland roots rock band The U-Liners, is hosting an open mic. Others have volunteered to staff the event.

“It’s all come together in the last 48 hours or so,” Hucker says. “It doesn’t surprise me, but it’s always nice to see so many people come out of woodwork to help.”

Shutdown Social takes place Friday, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Blair High School. RSVP here.