Islamic News

US govt shutdown: Local Muslim groups distribute food, supplies to unpaid federal employees

UNPAID Boston Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and other workers impacted by the United States government shutdown grabbed free food after their shifts on Wednesday, courtesy of the Islamic Circle of North America Relief USA.

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ICNA Relief partnered with the Greater New England area Muslim communities to provide food boxes and a $20 meat voucher from Quincy International Foods Co. at their Haymarket and Quincy locations to the estimated 1,000 TSA agents working at Boston Logan International Airport without pay.

“This is something that we are compelled to respond to. I believed in the community to support this effort and they have not let me down.

“Hopefully, the government figures this out, but we are going start preparing for more gift card drives in case,” ICNA Relief Director, Malaika McDonald, said.

This week marks the fifth week of the longest government shutdown in American history, with no end in sight, and the second missed pay cycle since US President, Donald Trump and Congressional leaders are deadlocked over a $5.7 billion wall along the border between the US and Mexico.

Approximately 8,000 federal workers in Massachusetts are not receiving a paycheck, according the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

While Wednesday’s mobile food bank was specifically for Logan workers, the ICNA said it had plans to organise more pickups incase SNAP and WIC benefits run out in February.

“We have weekly food drives throughout Massachusetts, but nothing to this scale before.

“It’s very scary imagining that things could come to this. We all know someone who is in need,” McDonald said.

ICNA Relief offices in Dallas and Atlanta are planning similar distribution projects at their respective airports, it was gathered.

“During this national crisis, it is our duty to stand with our fellow Americans and ensure that no one goes without basic necessities. This is what Americans do. We support one another in times of need,” ICNA Relief Operations Coordinator Kadra Maruf said in a statement

David Olagunju

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