The sight was staggering in Prince George’s County, Md., home to more than 60,000 federal workers: middle-class professionals lined up for boxes of pasta, protein and produce to feed their families.

After a two-hour wait, Wanda Bright had finally reached the front of the line — just as the first batch of supplies ran out.

The Capital Area Food Bank had started the day with 300 boxes, enough for 150 government employees to receive two boxes each. It turned out that the need was even greater.