TSA WORKERS WELCOME FOOD ‘GIFT’
NEWPORT NEWS – Transportation security workers on Thursday could catch the latest on the partial government shutdown by watching any TV at the Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport.
But they had their sights set on a more immediate — and positive — goal.
One by one, they walked past the TVs to the airport’s banquet room where the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank had loaded tables with whole frozen chickens, bags of potatoes, fresh lettuce, cold milk, slabs of bacon and other food.
News was important, but having missed their first paycheck last week, it was time to restock the pantry.
The food distribution was the first in Virginia for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents some 500 transportation security officers at airports across the state. With no end to the shutdown in sight, Thursday’s giveaway promises to be repeated outside of Hampton Roads, said Scott Robinson, president of AFGE Local 448.
Robinson praised the food bank for coming through on relatively short notice and marveled at the quality of the food.
“There is some fantastic stuff here,” he said. “We’re
going to have to do our damnedest to match it throughout the state.”
As load after load rolled in, he stopped at one point and said, “Oh look — milk.”
Patrice Daniels, Local 448 executive vice president, said she’s interested in following the news, but only to a certain extent. It depends on who is talking. Straight-up news with facts is great. People shouting at each other? Not so much.
“I don’t care about the unnecessary drama,” she said. “I want to know what’s being passed. We don’t want to watch politicians go back and forth. We need results. We need some type of answers. That’s where we’re at.”
Jonathan Wilkes, a TSA supervisor, said he was grateful for the free groceries because he and his coworkers are having to explain their plight to creditors. Right now, every extra dollar helps.
“You can’t explain to everyone, ‘be lenient with me because I don’t have money,’ ” he said. “They want their money. I really appreciate the food bank helping out this way.”
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank CEO Karen Joyner said she’s seen an increase in requests and walk-ins since last week, when some government workers missed their first paycheck.
“This week, all of a sudden, we’re getting a lot more calls, a lot more walk-ins,” she said.
As previously reported, the food bank will hold a weekly food distribution every Friday, beginning immediately, from 2-3:30 p.m. for those affected by the shutdown. It will be held at the food bank site at 2401 Aluminum Ave., Hampton, and will continue for the duration of the shutdown.
So far, the food bank’s supplies are holding up because November and December are busy times for donations.
“If this had happened during the summer, it would be a major crisis,” she said.
Meanwhile, TSA workers are hunkering down for an ordeal that has no apparent end. Daniels, a single mother of four, said she may have to seek another job out of necessity.
“I’m all for the mission,” she said. “I really do care about the traveling public, but I’m not going to lose my house. I’m not going to not be able to feed my kids.
“I’m not going to let that happen.”