NEWS
Sunport organizes food drive for TSA agents amid partial shutdown
Airport still accepting donations, which will benefit more than 100 families
Published
Amid an ongoing partial federal government shutdown, the Albuquerque International Sunport organized a food drive for Transportation Security Administration agents working without pay.
The drive, which began Monday, has so far collected thousands of food items for the workers and their families.
“We truly appreciate the community’s generosity and are grateful for the opportunity to help make a difference,” said Aviation Department spokesperson Diana Lopez in a statement Thursday.
The Sunport is accepting both non-perishable items, such as canned goods, rice and pasta, as well as gift cards and gas cards that amount to $25 or more. The Sunport is also accepting personal hygiene products, like toothpaste and toilet paper.
People can take donations to the Aviation Department offices on the third floor of the terminal.
The American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing local TSA agents, could not be reached for comment Friday.
Although airports across the nation are reporting call-outs and resignations among TSA staff, Lopez said the Sunport has yet to experience any disruption as the shutdown stretches into its fifth week.
Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.
