GoFundMe Crowdfunds For Furloughed Government Workers

It’s been 10 full days since government workers missed their paychecks due to the prolonged government shutdown, and one of the most recognizable crowdfunding companies is stepping in to help.

GoFundMe has launched a fundraising campaign targeted specifically to furloughed government workers, according to reports, and it’s raised around $90,000 from more than 1,000 people in just two days.

The company’s CEO, Rob Solomon, announced the fund and its initial $10,000 donation by spiritual guru Deepak Chopra, and said GoFundMe matched that donation.

“Government workers, through no fault of their own, can’t afford to put diapers on their newborns. Employees of the most powerful nation in the world are being forced to work without pay and line up at diaper or food banks. It makes no sense,” he said in a statement. “I wish Little Miss Flint did not need to start a GoFundMe to buy clean water. I wish diabetics did not need to start GoFundMes for their insulin. And I wish we did not have to start a GoFundMe to help federal workers. Unfortunately we do. And because we live in an imperfect world, we have a simple choice: We can feel helpless while tragedy unfolds, or we can take action.”

Donations will go to a bevy of nonprofit organizations to help the approximately 800,000 government workers currently not being paid. The National Diaper Bank Network and the World Central Kitchen are among the organizations that will receive the money.

The main goal is to help with food, counseling and housing.

“I hope the shutdown ends soon. In the meantime, please join me and help our fellow Americans by providing some short term relief. This is not about politics. This is lending a helping hand to someone in need,” Solomon said. “To all of the government workers out there furloughed or working without pay: We are with you. We hope this ends soon and your lives return to normal.”