MIAMI — With the federal government shutdown stretching into its fourth week, some South Florida workers are turning to local food banks for help feeding their families.
Feeding South Florida hosted a mobile food pantry Friday at Miami International Airport, distributing a week’s worth of groceries to families of unpaid federal employees struggling to make ends meet.
“We know there is a need out there with the shutdown, so this is something we like to do for the community and we are excited to help,” said Helen Hines, Feeding South Florida’s mobile pantry coordinator.
The event aimed to assist 250 households, according to Hines.
Lines formed early as federal workers — many from TSA and Immigration and Customs Enforcement — arrived to collect fresh produce, milk, eggs, canned goods and protein items.
“It means a lot. You know, we are not getting paid right now, so it is really nice for the community to help us out,” said one federal worker who did not want to be identified.
Another federal worker added, “I am very grateful that they are doing this for us. It is kind of rough, but here we are — still coming to work, showing up. We are here for the mission.”
Feeding South Florida President and CEO Paco Vélez said the organization is working to ensure that families don’t go hungry during the shutdown.
“Feeding South Florida is out distributing food to many of the federal employees who are not getting paid during the government shutdown,” Vélez said. “Many of those federal employees are still going to work — still at TSA, at Immigration, still at our bases, protecting this country, protecting our cities, protecting our people. However, due to a man-made crisis, they are not getting paid and they are struggling to put food on the table.”
Hines said the food selection is designed to last a full week. “The selections and variety allow them to make several meals, not just one,” she said.
The current standoff in Washington has resulted in the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history, surpassing all but the 2018–2019 closure that also prompted Feeding South Florida to step in.
“Feeding South Florida was here in 2018-2019 to make sure our federal employees had food on the table,” Vélez said. “Again, during this government shutdown, we will be here for our government employees for as long as they need us.”
Federal workers who spoke with Local 10 News said the community support means everything as they continue to show up for work without pay.
“Thank you, thank you, we appreciate it,” said one worker. Another added, “Especially for those of us who have kids at home, it helps.”
A TSA spokesperson released a statement asking for the public’s patience as many employees continue working without pay.
“Many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” the spokesperson said. “While the vast majority of TSA’s nationwide operations remain minimally impacted by the government shutdown, occasional delays at some security checkpoints are to be expected.
“The longer the shutdown goes on, the more severe the impact on our TSA workforce who have expenses they must pay for, making it harder to show up for work when not being paid,” the statement continued.
“Despite this challenge, TSA will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people,” the statement said.
As lawmakers in Washington remain at an impasse, many South Florida federal workers say they’re simply trying to hang on until their next paycheck arrives — whenever that may be.
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