Community Food Basket to help employees of government shutdown
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IDAHO FALLS — With the federal government on day 28 of the partial shutdown, some local government employees and their families have been feeling the effects of going without a paycheck.
To help, the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket is holding a Federal Employee Shutdown Support Day this Saturday and again on Jan. 28.
Executive Director Dave Manson said the idea came after he was approached by Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. She suggested people in the community, especially Transportation Security Administration employees, have been working without several paychecks.
Manson said after much discussion in the community, the stress of being able to provide food for those employees has become apparent.
The first special emergency food distribution will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Food Basket warehouse at 1895 North Boulevard in Idaho Falls. The Jan. 26 events will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the same location.
Federal employees financially impacted by the shutdown can bring a government-issued ID to receive food.
Manson said their organization provides families with shelf-stable food items like pasta, canned fruits, and vegetables in addition to milk, eggs, bread, and meat. They are planning on serving 100 employees and their families but they are unsure of how many will show up.
The Community Food Basket-Idaho Falls is always accepting food and monetary donations to help replenish their stock, Manson said.