Fresno Travelers Donate Gift Cards to Support TSA Workers During Shutdown

Passengers at Fresno Yosemite International Airport set up a donation box to help TSA workers affected by the partial government shutdown.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 6:20am

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Travelers at Fresno Yosemite International Airport have been donating gift cards to TSA workers who are still showing up to work despite the partial government shutdown delaying their paychecks. The airport set up a drop-off box where people can leave grocery, gas and restaurant gift cards for the workers keeping the airport running.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has left many federal workers, including TSA agents, without paychecks. This grassroots effort by Fresno travelers aims to support the TSA workers who are continuing to do their jobs despite the financial hardship caused by the shutdown.

The details

TSA workers can't accept gifts while they're on duty, so the airport found a workaround by setting up a drop-off box right before security where travelers can leave gift cards for the workers. Hundreds of TSA workers have walked off the job since the start of the partial government shutdown last month, but those still showing up are being supported by the generosity of Fresno passengers.

  • The partial government shutdown began last month.
  • Travelers have been donating gift cards since the start of the shutdown.

The players

Fresno Yosemite International Airport

The airport that set up the donation box for travelers to support TSA workers during the government shutdown.

TSA Workers

Federal transportation security agents who are continuing to work at the Fresno airport despite not receiving paychecks due to the partial government shutdown.

Scott Parks

A frequent traveler who came to the Fresno airport with gift cards to donate to the TSA workers.

Kris Knupp

A Lemoore resident who travels to Dallas often and noticed the donation box for TSA workers at the Fresno airport.

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What they’re saying

“It's gone on too long and people need to get their act together in Washington and do something for the people who need it.”

— Scott Parks, Traveler

“They treat you with kindness, they treat you with respect. They do the best that they can do in an airport where everybody's kind of stressed.”

— Kris Knupp, Lemoore Resident

What’s next

The airport plans to continue operating the donation box as long as the partial government shutdown continues, allowing travelers to support the TSA workers who are still on the job.

The takeaway

This grassroots effort by Fresno travelers demonstrates the community's commitment to supporting federal workers affected by the government shutdown, even as political leaders in Washington fail to resolve the impasse.