Free Meals At Branford Restaurant For Fed Workers Not Being Paid

BRANFORD, CT - For over a week now, a small business in Branford has gone the extra mile to help those who work for the federal government who are in need.

As of January 17th, Crostini Breakfast and Lunch on Meadow Street, has been serving free breakfast to any federal worker, who have been working for the past month without pay due to the federal shutdown over the conflict between President Donald Trump and the Democrats in Congress over $5.7 billion in funding over a border wall.

Crostini made the offer to any government worker who has been effected by the shutdown, which is now entering its second month - the longest government shutdown in the country's history.

All Crostini is asking those who want to take the restaurant up on the offering is to show a government work ID before their bill is rung up.

Giovanna Mazzariello explained to Patch why the family business made the offer.

"We wanted to reach out to anyone affected by the government shutdown because we honestly just wanted to lend a helping hand to those who are struggling," said Mazzariello. "We know that the first thing we all tend to cut when money is tight is the novelty of having a meal out."

He continued: "Crostini has been so welcomed by the Branford community for the past five years that we feel that our customers have become a part of our family and family always help each other," Mazzariello added.

"We have had quite a few people take us up on the offer and hope to have many more," he added. "The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming."

Photo by Jack Kramer