As the partial government shutdown staggers into day 27, the local community is looking to shelter federal workers from the effects of the longest shutdown in history.
One of the biggest organizations impacted is Jacksonville’s Coast Guard sector, which includes 540 Coast Guard personnel and 160 of 230 civilian employees who have been furloughed within District 7, according to Ryan Dickenson, Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class.
Dec. 31 marked the date of the last paycheck received by Coast Guard personal, he said. Even though they haven’t been paid, the organization continues to secure the region’s coasts.
“Coast Guard uniformed personnel will continue to perform their duties and will provide essential services such as search and rescue, port and homeland safety and security, law enforcement and environmental response,” Dickenson said. “The Coast Guard members continue to work diligently and faithfully during this time of uncertainty.”
Partially due to the ambiguity of the shutdown’s resolution, many workers have become unsure of their ability to provide necessities. Some are even going so far as to question their ability to put food on the table. Several community organizations have stepped up to the plate, however.
BEAM, the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, has been working in conjunction with the United Service Organizations (USO) and Feeding Northeast Florida to provide food and financial assistance for those affected. The USO is a distribution point for assistance along with BEAM’s two food pantries locations in Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach (Mayport). BEAM has doubled their food pantry assistance for those affected, who are now able to get supplies such as meats, dry goods and fresh vegetables twice a month from their locations.
BEAM is also in the process of opening their rent and utility assistance program for those in need.
“We are putting things in place to add access to that for people who live or work at the beach,” said Lori Richards, executive director of BEAM. “Which would of course include covering our Coast Guard families or anyone else who might be a sub-contractor who might be impacted by the shutdown.”
This past Tuesday, Jan. 15, the USO in Jacksonville held the Healthy Military Families Food Initiative, which fed 7,500 meals to 125 families. The USO said it plans on continuing this service weekly until the “situation is resolved,” according to Megan DeGance, the marketing director for the USO.
The USO is asking for help with donating specific items such as baby food, diapers, pet food and $10 or $20 gift cards to Publix, Winn-Dixie or Walmart. The organization also asks that cash donations be payable to the USO Jacksonville, due to the military being unable to accept direct donations.
In addition to BEAM, the USO and Feeding Northeast Florida, the Florida Theatre has opened its doors to any furloughed employees. Both the “Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium: The Mystery of the Dinosaurs of the Deep” on Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. and “Arlo Guthrie Alice’s Restaurant Tour” on Jan. 23 will be free to anyone showing a valid government employee ID at the door.
BEAM asks those interested in helping to check its its Facebook and website, where the organization will communicate its needs for donations of food, financial assistance or volunteers. For those who are affected and are looking for assistance, BEAM offers food and supplies at both its Jacksonville Beach and Mayport locations. The hours at Jacksonville Beach are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayport is open Tuesday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays alternate between locations with Jacksonville Beach opening the first and fourth of the month.
