Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th and Republican colleagues held a food in-gathering and news conference at Mackenzie’s office, 1125 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, Nov. 1.

Food donations reached better than 2,000 pounds to be donated to Allentown’s Second Harvest Food Bank.

Mackenzie’s guests included state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-131st and state Rep. Ann Flood, R-138th.

After thanking those who contributed to the food drive, Mackenzie expressed his feelings regarding the shutdown of the federal government.

According to Mackenzie, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats were holding government hostage by not passing a clean, bipartisan funding bill which stopped payroll for most government employees.

Additionally, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program has lost its funding. The program provides payment of $187 per person per month for disabled individuals and those who fall at or below the poverty level.

Mackenzie added there should be no “partisan games” in Washington that threaten the lives and livelihoods of local families. He stated he had voted for a “clean, nonpartisan government funding bill.”

He expressed his thanks to supporters of the food drive including Republicans PA State Treasurer Stacy Garrity; state Sen. Dave Argall, R-29th; state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th; state Rep. Joe Emrick, R-137th; state Rep. Ann Flood, R-138th; state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122nd; state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd; state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-131st; the Lehigh County Republican Committee; the Northampton County Republican Committee; the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and the Butz family.

Also helping at the food drive were members of the Emmaus High School Young Republicans Club and Club America.