Heard from TikTok:
US army told their soldiers in Germany to go to food bank, can you verify it please.
Grok:
Yes, this claim is verifiable and based on real events from the ongoing U.S. government shutdown (now in its 37th day as of November 6, 2025). Here’s a clear breakdown of what happened, backed by multiple credible reports:
What Occurred
• The Guidance Posted: On November 5, 2025, the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria (overseeing major bases like Grafenwöhr, Hohenfels, and others in Germany) published a “Shutdown Guidance” webpage. This listed resources for those affected by the shutdown, including local German food banks (e.g., via Tafel Deutschland, which coordinates over 970 food banks), emergency social benefits, low-interest loans, and food-sharing apps like Too Good To Go. The page was framed as support for soldiers, families, and base employees facing potential pay delays or service disruptions.
• Context of the Shutdown: The impasse stems from partisan disputes over budget appropriations, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning on CBS News that active-duty pay could halt by November 15 if unresolved. October pay for ~37,000 U.S. troops in Germany was covered via emergency reallocations ($2.5B from tax cuts, $1.4B from procurement, $1.4B from R&D), plus a $130M anonymous donation funneled through the Pentagon. However, November remains uncertain, straining overseas personnel who live paycheck-to-paycheck.
• Public Backlash and Removal: The food bank references sparked outrage on social media (e.g., Reddit’s r/army subreddit called it “embarrassing” and “pathetic,” with users noting soldiers might be turned away as they’re ineligible for German aid). Within hours, the Army removed the listings from the Bavaria site, calling it a “mistake.” A U.S. Army Europe and Africa statement clarified it was intended solely for ~11,000 German civilian employees at U.S. bases (whose pay the German government covered in October, expecting U.S. reimbursement). Some similar resources lingered on a Wiesbaden garrison page but weren’t explicitly tied to shutdown aid.
Key Evidence and Sources
• Media Coverage: Euronews broke the story on November 5, noting the guidance directed soldiers to “food banks and food sharing organisations where volunteers provide leftover food through public fridges.” Similar reports from Sky News, DW (Deutsche Welle), The Mirror US, and Task & Purpose confirmed the details and swift deletion.
• Social Media Buzz: On X (formerly Twitter), posts from November 5–6 amplified the Euronews article, with users like
@HeyMaiLady and
@Volusianicus sharing links and criticizing the situation as a “national embarrassment.” German users expressed frustration, noting local food banks are already overwhelmed and have months-long waitlists.
• No Evidence of Widespread Use: It’s unclear if any U.S. soldiers actually sought or received aid from these banks—officials say the guidance was erroneous for troops, and German services prioritize residents. The Army emphasized essential “life, health, and safety” services continue uninterrupted.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights the shutdown’s ripple effects on U.S. forces abroad, eroding morale and readiness at key NATO hubs. Critics (including VP JD Vance on X) blame Democrats for the impasse, while others point to Republican demands. As of now, no resolution is in sight, and the Pentagon is exploring more emergency funds. If you’re a service member or family affected, check official channels like the Army’s My Army Post app for updates.
This isn’t isolated—past shutdowns (e.g., 2018–2019) delayed pay for 800,000+ federal workers, including military support staff. Let me know if you want more details or links to the archived webpage.