Federal workers across the country are finally expecting back pay in the coming days, following the 43-day government shutdown.
Here at home, local organizations have spent the last few weeks stepping in to support hundreds of unpaid workers around Fort Campbell and across Christian and Montgomery Counties.
With federal employees preparing for paychecks to resume as early as this weekend, community efforts to help those who’ve gone without income for more than a month are still underway.
In Christian County, the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce has led a large-scale response, including resource fairs and food assistance. Director of Military Affairs, Shannon Lane, says last week’s events reached hundreds of people.
click to download audioLane says some of the hardest-hit workers were those still required to report to work with no paycheck.
click to download audioThe week began with a pancake breakfast at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, where volunteers fed 660 federal workers.
click to download audioBy Thursday, the focus turned to food distribution in partnership with Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland. Food was first available at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming. When the line slowed, Lane and volunteers loaded up trucks and took the food directly to workers.
click to download audioLane says the turnout revealed just how many federal employees live and work across the region.
click to download audioAnd the work isn’t slowing. The next major event is coming up Thursday, November 20, again at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming.
click to download audioLane stresses that many workers are still catching up financially, even with back pay on the way.
click to download audioAnd he encourages neighbors to look after one another.
click to download audioLane says the Military Affairs Committee will keep offering support as long as it’s needed, and he credits volunteers, local officials, and partners in Christian and Montgomery Counties for making the response possible.
