NC families turn to side hustles during ongoing government shutdown
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- As signs emerge that the government shutdown may soon come to an end, many Cumberland County families are still grappling with weeks of financial strain.
For some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and furloughed government employees, the uncertainty has meant taking on side hustles or second jobs just to stay afloat.
Bobbie Johnson, a longtime federal employee and single mother of two, has experienced multiple shutdowns.
"It's always nerve-wracking because you're not sure when you're going to go back to work," Johnson said. "Ultimately, I think having faith in God has really kept me firm so that I am able to be prepared."
To make ends meet, Johnson has leaned into her small business, making sweet treats like cotton candy cake.
"We've been able to do events in Raleigh and Durham that we didn't have the opportunity to do as often," she said. "We've been spending more time putting energy into our flyers, our content creation, and really developing the business into something we both love."
Across town, another single mother, Amanda Zotti, is also juggling multiple jobs to get by.
"SNAP definitely gets me by. It's a lifeline," said Zotti, who depends on the federal food assistance program. "If it weren't for SNAP, I probably wouldn't be able to afford what I can afford right now, which is the bare minimum."
After losing access to her benefits during the shutdown, Zotti began delivering pizzas on weekends to help cover expenses. She's one of more than one million North Carolinians who rely on SNAP benefits.
"The transition has been really hard," she said. "With my first job, it definitely takes a toll on my body, so having to get up on the weekends and basically do the same type of work, it definitely takes a toll."
Both women say they're hopeful lawmakers in Washington will reach a final agreement soon, so families like theirs can return to a sense of stability.
