Nonprofits, unions and airports rally to feed TSA officers amid shutdown

Charities step in to help Transportation Security Administration workers who have missed paychecks due to the partial government closure.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:04pm

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Across the country, nonprofits, unions, and airport communities are providing food and other assistance to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are working without pay during the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Charities like World Central Kitchen and Feeding San Diego are distributing meals, groceries, and other essential items to TSA workers, coordinating with airports and local TSA offices to ensure the aid reaches those in need. Union leaders say some TSA officers are struggling to afford basic necessities like utility bills and medical care, and they're encouraging the public to donate through local labor councils.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has left more than 120,000 Homeland Security employees, including around 50,000 TSA officers, working without pay. This has created significant hardship for these federal workers, many of whom are living paycheck-to-paycheck. The charitable efforts by nonprofits, unions, and airport communities aim to provide critical support to TSA officers and their families during this difficult time.

The details

Nonprofits like World Central Kitchen and Feeding San Diego have started distributing meals, groceries, and other essential items to TSA officers at airports across the country. They are coordinating with local TSA offices and airport authorities to ensure the aid reaches those in need. Union leaders say some TSA officers are struggling to pay utility bills, afford medical care, and cover basic necessities like food and toiletries. While federal ethics rules make it difficult for TSA officers to accept gifts directly, unions are able to accept donations and distribute them to their members.

  • The partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security began on March 22, 2026.
  • Sunday, March 24, 2026 marks the 37th day of the shutdown.

The players

World Central Kitchen

A nonprofit organization that provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.

Feeding San Diego

A nonprofit hunger-relief organization serving San Diego County.

Aaron Barker

President of the AFGE Local 554 union in Georgia, which represents TSA officers.

Kristen Wild

Chief executive of Operation Food Search, a Missouri-based hunger relief nonprofit.

Perry Cooper

Spokesperson for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

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What they’re saying

“For some people it can be life or death. It's just sad and terrible that this is happening.”

— Aaron Barker, President of AFGE Local 554 union

“The money is the most immediate need.”

— Aaron Barker, President of AFGE Local 554 union

“You know a lot of these people. You see faces ... throughout the day as you're wandering through. And then to realize that some of these folks are here and they're not getting paid, you know, really tugs at your heart to think what's a way that we can help.”

— Perry Cooper, Spokesperson, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

What’s next

Lawmakers and the White House continue to negotiate over limits to immigration enforcement, which is holding up a resolution to the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

The takeaway

The charitable efforts by nonprofits, unions, and airport communities to provide food, groceries, and other essential items to TSA officers working without pay during the government shutdown highlight the significant hardship these federal workers are facing. While these donations provide critical support, the most immediate need is for the shutdown to end and for TSA officers to receive their full paychecks.