Free Meals For NH Airport Workers Amid Government Shutdown

MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Food Bank and Catholic Charities New Hampshire are teaming up to provide free meals to unpaid federal workers Friday at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport amid the government shutdown. The shutdown stretched into its 34th day Thursday with little hope of a compromise on the horizon. The food bank and Catholic charities organization prepared hundreds of meals that will be delivered airport workers.

"The government shutdown has had extreme ramifications for thousands of individuals and families across New Hampshire," said Catholic Charities New Hampshire President Tom Blonski said in a statement. "This includes the many employees at (Manchester-Boston airport) who continue to work tireless hours — despite no income for the foreseeable future — to maintain operations and vital security needs for the thousands of passengers who travel through on a daily basis."

The free meals will be delivered to workers with the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, among other agencies. Workers will also be able to take home boxed meals.

Catholic Charities New Hampshire said it covered food costs while the meals were prepared by members of the food bank's culinary job training program.

Said New Hampshire Food Bank Executive Director Eileen Liponis, "We are diligently working with (Catholic Charities) and other organizations to find ways to support and respond to the needs of federal workers statewide."

The food bank is also accepting donations to pay for more meals for workers affected by the shutdown.

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