Alameda Co. food bank steps in to help TSA workers, families impacted by government shutdown

"After their Thursday morning shift, TSA employees at the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport picked up food provided by the Alameda County Community Food Bank. As federal workers navigate life with no paycheck in sight, the Food Bank is seeing an increased need. "I think one of the big challenges in general with not being paid, is essentially that is your whole livelihood is at risk," said Regi Young, executive director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank."

""You have to deal with rent. You have to deal with medicines, whatever other issues you have to deal. We want to ensure that food is one of the things you don't have to worry about," Young said. For the past three weeks, TSA employees have been coming to work. But they aren't getting paid. "Due to the government shutdown, all of our TSA officers, as well as FAA, air traffic controllers and certain CBP officers are considers essential employees."

The Alameda County Community Food Bank delivered bags and boxes of rice, beans, eggs and fresh produce to federal workers affected by the government shutdown. About 300 TSA employees at the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport picked up food while continuing to work without pay. Staff and spokespeople noted that unpaid essential employees face rent, medicine and other financial pressures, and that food assistance aims to alleviate one immediate burden. The Food Bank responded to requests similar to those during the last shutdown and mobilized supplies to meet increased demand. Airport representatives confirmed TSA, FAA, air traffic controllers and some CBP officers are working without pay.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco