TPA joins forces with community partners to assist federal workers impacted by the U.S. government shutdown

As the federal government shutdown continues, Tampa International Airport is partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast to provide vital resources and assistance to federal employees who will receive only a partial paycheck this week and will miss their first full paycheck in two weeks.

Feeding Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast are leading the initiative, collaborating with local utility companies, public transit providers, and childcare centers to offer as many resources as possible until paychecks resume. Frontline employees from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are considered essential workers and are required to report to work, despite the interruption in their pay. While there have been reports of some federal employees not showing up for work and causing staffing shortages at other airports across the country, TPA has not been experiencing such shortages and operations have been seamless thus far.

"We have a dedicated team of federal workers here who understand the critical role they play in keeping the public flying," said John Tiliacos, Tampa International Airport's Chief Operating Officer. "Whatever we can do to make life a little easier for these federal employees, allowing them to continue coming to work and focus on keeping our airport operational, that's what we're prepared to do."

Resources available to local federal government employees include free bus rides through HART and PSTA for those with a federal government ID, grocery assistance through Feeding Tampa Bay, support from local utility companies including TECO, short-term loans from local financial institutions, childcare assistance, pet food support, and emotional resources through the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, First Contact, and other 211 services.

If you would like to help local federal workers who may be struggling without their paychecks, consider volunteering or making a financial donation through Feeding Tampa Bay or United Way Suncoast.