Discounts, Free Meals Available To Furloughed PG County Workers

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD -- As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, the longest in modern history, federal employees in Prince George's County are feeling the pain -- and local businesses and organizations are doing what they can to lessen that pain.

Many of these organizations are offering deals and freebies to help furloughed workers get through these tough times. Those with government work IDs or furlough letters can save money on meals, tickets, and even admission to museums all around the county and throughout the D.C. region.

For example, Prince George's Suite reports that banks like Bank of America, Citi, and Chase are offering programs to handle financial hardship. The United Way of the National Capital Area is dipping into its Emergency Assistance Fund to provide money to nonprofits who give food and housing to those hardest hit by the shutdown.

Prince George's County Public Schools will help pay for student meals during the shutdown. Dominion Energy will offer payment extensions. And some restaurants, like &pizza, Carmine's, and Charlie Palmer -- to name just a few -- are even offering free food.

Local chef Jose Andres -- who made headlines for his support for Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria -- said he would make free sandwiches for government workers at all of his restaurants in the D.C. area for lunch until they get paid again.

For a full list of free and discounted services and meals offered during the shutdown, visit Prince George's Suite.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: A sign in the window of the White House Visitors Center notifies visitors that it is closed due to the partial federal government shutdown January 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Little progress has been made between Republicans and Democrats in ending the government shutdown which is now the second-longest in history. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)