Nonprofits, unions and airports rally to feed TSA officers as shutdown drags

Charity groups and local communities are stepping up to provide meals and other assistance to Transportation Security Administration workers who are working without pay during the partial government shutdown.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:07am

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Nonprofits, unions, and airport communities across the country are providing meals, food, and other assistance to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are working without full pay during the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Charities like World Central Kitchen and Feeding San Diego have started distributing food and supplies to TSA workers near airports, coordinating with local TSA offices and airport authorities to get the aid to the affected officers. While federal ethics rules limit what TSA workers can directly accept, unions and other groups are able to collect and distribute donations to support the unpaid officers dealing with hardships like missed bills, evictions, and trouble affording basic necessities.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has left over 120,000 Department of Homeland Security employees, including around 50,000 TSA officers, working without pay. This has created significant financial hardship for these federal workers, prompting nonprofits, unions, and local airport communities to step in and provide food, supplies, and other assistance to help TSA officers make ends meet during the shutdown.

The details

Nonprofits like World Central Kitchen and Feeding San Diego have started distributing meals, food boxes, and other supplies to TSA officers near airports, coordinating with local TSA offices and airport authorities to get the aid to the affected workers. While federal ethics rules prohibit TSA officers from directly accepting gifts over $20, unions and other groups are able to collect and distribute donations to support the unpaid officers. TSA officers have reported struggling to pay bills, facing evictions and car repossessions, and having trouble affording basic necessities like food, toiletries, and medical care for their families.

  • The partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security began on March 22, 2026.
  • Saturday, March 22, 2026 marks the 36th day of the shutdown.

The players

World Central Kitchen

A charity organization more accustomed to feeding those in war zones and disaster areas, which has started providing meals to Washington, D.C.-area airports for TSA officers affected by the shutdown.

Feeding San Diego

A nonprofit organization that began distributing 400 food boxes with pasta, beans, peanut butter, and fresh produce to TSA officers near the San Diego airport after a request from TSA and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

AFGE Local 554

A TSA officer union in Georgia that can accept donations to distribute to its members, as federal employees are prohibited from directly accepting gifts over $20.

Operation Food Search

A Missouri hunger relief nonprofit working closely with TSA to safely deliver food and set up a temporary pantry at St. Louis Lambert International Airport for affected officers.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Airport officials have been coordinating donations and discounts from dining vendors to support TSA officers working without pay at the 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 in Georgia

“People don't think about the things they just naturally have in their home, like toothpaste, bathroom tissue, milk, detergent, dish liquid. I'm sure those things are a necessity for every TSA officer.”

— Aaron Barker, President of AFGE Local 554 in Georgia

“The first thing they want is their paycheck. The money is the most immediate need.”

— Aaron Barker, President of AFGE Local 554 in Georgia

“You know a lot of these people. You see faces and that 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

“The work they are doing is serious and they aren't getting paid for it. My heart goes out to them.”

— Musie Hidad

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the government to continue the partial shutdown and keep TSA officers working without pay.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the significant hardship faced by federal workers, including TSA officers, who are being forced to work without pay during the partial government shutdown. While nonprofits, unions, and local communities are stepping up to provide food, supplies, and other assistance, the most effective solution would be for the government to end the shutdown and ensure these essential workers receive their full paychecks.