Local organizations lend a helping hand to workers impacted by shutdown

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The government is back open, but plans are still in place to assist TSA workers at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport who’ve gone without paychecks during the shutdown.

The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and the West Point Chamber of Commerce are partnering to help the federal workers.

The organizations are collecting gift cards to buy meals, groceries, gas, and other essentials.

Organizers said they understand the strain the shutdown has caused federal workers and their families, and this is a way to lend a helping hand.

“It’s so important to help out our TSA workers because they are sacrificing time, and energy, and resources, to make sure that we make it on our flights safe and sound, that business development and growth still continues, and we’re able to make our flights and be safe while doing so and they’re doing so with no pay, so we just want to appreciate them,” said Lisa James, president of the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce.

If you’d like to make a donation, you can drop off gift cards at the Columbus or West Point Chamber locations, as well as the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.