CHARLOTTE — For many federal workers, the government shutdown isn’t just political, it’s personal. In Charlotte, local organizations are now stepping in to ease that burden.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse are giving free lunches to federal workers impacted by the partial government shutdown.
Workers can stop by the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Samaritan’s Purse is also offering meals at its Airlift Response Center in Greensboro.
Inside the kitchen Friday, volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse were hard at work preparing hundreds of meals for federal workers who may not know when their next paycheck is coming.
“It’s really affecting me,” John Overman, a TSA worker, told Channel 9’s Miana Massey. “It’s too much. The government’s got to do something.”
Shannon Daley, the manager of special projects at Samaritan’s Purse, says they’re serving up chicken noodle soup, sandwiches, chips and cookies for those in need. The meals may be simple, but for many, they make a huge difference.
Josh Holland with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team says this effort is about more than just food.
“Even a small meal, something as seemingly insignificant as that, can hopefully just be a blessing and an encouragement to someone who might be going through a very difficult time,” he said.
It’s a reminder that they’re not alone and a way to say thank you to those still showing up despite uncertainty.
“We appreciate the work that they do,” Daley said. “We appreciate that they are still going in and faithfully keeping us safe.”
Organizers say the program will stay in place seven days a week until the shutdown ends.
You must have a valid government ID to get a free meal.
During the last government shutdown in November, the groups served around 2,800 free lunches to federal staff.
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