How People are Helping Federal Employees During the Government Shutdown
- Deah Bhojani
- Jan 31, 2019
- 2 min read
The recent government shutdown lasted just over 30 days, and it seems as though many of our elected officials forgot the constituents they are meant to serve. As thousands of government workers struggled to put food on the table, pay their bills, and get their prescriptions, ordinary people stepped up to help in some amazing ways.
The US has just under 50,000 individuals working as TSA Officers, and 10,000 air traffic controllers. None are being paid for the important work they do each day. In an incredible show of solidarity, Canadian air traffic controllers sent several hundred pizzas to their US counterparts. It turned into a chain reaction, with more and more doing the same thing. Many US workers took to social media to show their gratitude.
Likewise, Chef José Andrés is using his non-profit to feed to as many workers as he can; on January 16, World Central Kitchen started serving meals from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Andrés called the situation a “disaster” and continually encouraged government officials to put politics aside and consider the thousands of people going hungry each day because of the shutdown.
Humans are not the only ones who suffered at the hands of this crisis. To combat the effect that it had on our four-legged friends, the Suffolk County SPCA gave away free pet food to families facing financial uncertainty.
These are just a few of the many acts of kindness that are mitigating the troublesome circumstances federal workers continue to face. It’s inspiring to see that people have good in their hearts during such trying times. While so many are unsure of what the future holds, it is wonderful that communities are coming together to support their own. The government has temporarily reopened; should Congress fail to come up with a resolution on immigration and border security that satisfies both Republicans and Democrats, it could shut down again come mid-February. Regardless, for those impacted, the effects of the shutdown have been devastating and will leave a lasting reminder of what our government leaders truly prioritize.
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