Businesses and other organizations in Atlantic County are offering to help workers who have been furloughed because of the government shutdown. Here is a list of current offers for workers and places where members of the public can donate food. Please let us know any others that should be included in this list.
Special Offers For Furloughed Workers:
Atlantic City
Hayday Coffee is offering free hot coffee to those with government IDs.
The Iron Room is offering its midweek special free to active Coast Guard members and their spouses on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 4 pm and 10 pm. All meals are made-to-order with the freshest ingredients by Executive Chef Kevin Cronin.
Little Water Distillery is offering free tours and tastings.
Linwood
Breathe Studio for Barre and Pilates is offering two weeks of unlimited classes free to those affected by the government shutdown.
Margate
Robert’s Place is offering a sandwich and a cup of soup or a pizza to government workers who show their ID.
Federal employees and their immediate families can also get free admission to Lucy the Elephant during the shutdown.
Mays Landing
Free haircuts from 4.30 to 6.30 pm on Friday, Jan. 25 and between 8 am and 3 pm on Saturday, Jan. 26 for all furloughed men and their sons at Homestead Barber Shop. Must show government ID.
The Mays Landing school district will defer payments for school lunches, extracurricular activities and other costs incurred by students whose parents are furloughed workers. Details here.
Somers Point
Gregory’s Bar is offering free taco Tuesdays and Thursdays to federal workers.
Vineland
Free tickets for a government worker and their guest to Pro Wrestling After Dark 2: The S Show at Vineland Moose Lodge on Feb. 8.
South Jersey-wide
Coastal Benefits will donate a $20 debit card and a money-saving Prescription Discount Card to a displaced government worker for every business referral they receive. Details here.
Food Donation Points
Margate
Jewish Family Services’ food pantry is open for donations and to distribute food to furloughed workers. The pantry is at 607 N. Jerome Ave and it is open from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday.
Northfield
The Honey Tree is collecting and distributing food and other non-perishables for government workers, as well as offering refrigerator and freezer space to store perishable items.
Cape May County
Seaville Fire Company (36 Route 50, Seaville) and the American Legion Post 184 (4200 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood) are both collecting diapers, baby food, non-perishable foods and money for furloughed workers.
The AFL-CIO says: “The Community FoodBank of New Jersey has resources across the state to help families in need. If you are a federal worker in need of assistance, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO urges you to visit one of the FoodBank’s community partners (e.g. food pantry or soup kitchen) to access food and other necessary household products. Please visit http://www.cfbnj.org/findfood/ and input your zip code under Find Food to locate the resource nearest you. When you visit an agency, please bring a form of identification showing that you are a New Jersey resident, along with a government-issued pay stub or government ID.”
Fundraising Efforts
Chefs On A Mission and 4ACxAC are hosting a special pop-up dinner to raise money for coastguard families. The families will help cook and serve the dinner, under the supervision of Chefs Michael Brennan and Pam Green. The dinner will be at the Atlantic City Aquarium on Feb. 9, tickets are $95 with all proceeds going to Coast Guard families. You can buy tickets and see more details here.
Federal workers and contractors are holding a rally at 11.30 on Friday, Jan. 25 at the airport circle. They will also be accepting food donations and grocery store gift cards. Details here.