Disabled Army veteran DaQuan Bethea faced financial challenges after being furloughed from his job with the Department of Defense due to the federal government shutdown. As a civilian family and soldier readiness specialist with the North Carolina National Guard, DaQuan has helped many families in need. After missing two paychecks, he and his wife, Evelyn, struggled to support their 2-year-old son, Myles. Evelyn’s job loss due to health issues compounded their financial strain as they dealt with rising costs for groceries and utilities.

Desperate for assistance, DaQuan turned to Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides emergency support to military families. The organization has helped fulfill nearly 60,000 requests since 2011, offering over $46 million in aid. During the October 2025 application period, requests for food assistance surged by more than 130 percent compared to the previous year.

After his application for food and mortgage support was approved, DaQuan expressed relief and gratitude, emphasizing the positive impact of donors who support Operation Homefront. Despite the uncertainty of the shutdown, he continues to help other military families, noting that assisting others helps alleviate his own stress.