STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY ELIANA WOLPER

The Friedman Memorial Airport has placed a donation bin inside the airline passenger terminal to collect non-perishable food items for the airport’s TSA officers, who are not being paid during the partial federal government shutdown.

These federal employees continue to report to work every day to keep the traveling public safe, despite not receiving paychecks for the second time this year, said Eliana Wolper, the airport’s Business Operations coordinator.

“Our TSA officers show up with a positive attitude each day to protect the traveling public, and they’re doing it without pay,” said Airport Director Timothy Burke. “These are hardworking members of our community with families, mortgages, and grocery bills.”

The situation remained unresolved on Tuesday as Capitol Hill prepared to go into a two-week recess.

Travelers and local residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to the terminal, including:

• Canned vegetables, fruit, or soup

• Pasta and rice

• Peanut butter

• Shelf-stable milk

• Cereal and boxed meals

• Other unopened pantry staples

• Gift cards for gasoline and other essentials (please avoid cash or currency of any kind).

Donations can be dropped in the collection bin located near the airline ticket counters between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Donations are also being accepted at the Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls.

Between 50,000 and 60,000 TSA officers across the country have been working without pay since the partial government shutdown began Feb. 14.