North Texas Food Bank, Tarrant Area Food Bank and Catholic Charities Dallas Support Airport Employees

The food distributions provided assistance for families impacted by the government shutdown.

For Jameka Thompson, working as a TSA officer is just as much about serving people as it is completing a shift.

So when a second government shutdown impacting TSA workers began on February 14, Jameka said she didn’t think twice about continuing to work. Still, she says the shutdown has certainly been stressful.

“The thought of having to pay my bills is stressful but at the same time, I know God will provide,” she said. “I am going (to work) to serve.”

Jameka was one of hundreds of TSA and airport employees who visited food distributions hosted by North Texas Food Bank, Tarrant Area Food Bank and Catholic Charities Dallas in late March. NTFB and TAFB hosted a joint distribution on March 27 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport while Catholic Charities Dallas and NTFB held a distribution for employees at Dallas Love Field on March 30.

Airport and TSA employees who visited the drive-through distributions were provided with roughly 60 pounds of fresh and shelf-stable groceries, including canned vegetables and fruit, pasta, peanut butter and other items.

“We know many families are already stretched thin, and even a short disruption in income can quickly create food insecurity for households,” said Clarissa Clarke, NTFB Government Relations Officer.

Clarissa added that distributions were organized at the airports so that workers could easily access food before or after their shifts.

Several TSA officers who visited the distributions said while they’ve experienced government shutdowns before, this one has been tougher because of its length.

One officer said that she was just beginning to pay down the debts she accumulated when she was unable to cover all of her bills during the fall government shutdown. When her pay was interrupted again in March, there were bills she simply couldn’t pay.

“This time it’s been really hard,” she said. However, she added, she vowed to continue showing up even though it has been difficult because of the great responsibility they have as officers. “I keep coming just because of the seriousness of the job. Without us here, it would be really tough.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, TSA workers received a retroactive paycheck on March 30. However, because that was done through an executive order from President Donald Trump and not an agreement in Congress, the partial shutdown continues.

Jameka said the food she received on March 30 would be a big help but that she was equally blessed by seeing so many people at the food distribution who wanted to support her and her coworkers.

“It is so wonderful when you see people with the heart to serve, and the compassion to help people who are going through a hard time,” she said.