Food pantry opens for airport TSA agents

By MEGAN TROTTER
TribLive

The Pittsburgh International Airport has arranged free meals for Transportation Security Administration agents affected by the government shutdown.

Thursday marked the start of an ongoing partnership between the airport and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to provide meals to TSA workers until the shutdown ends.

Although the shutdown — now stretching just over a month — has not significantly slowed security lines, PIT spokesman Bob Kerlik said the Allegheny County Airport Authority is exploring ways to support TSA agents as they continue working without pay.

“We want to make sure we’re doing anything we can to protect our federal partners,” Kerlik said.

Every two weeks, a food pantry stocked by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will operate from 7 to 10 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

TSA agents can access the more than 4,000 pounds of produce and 200 boxes of food at the airport’s field maintenance office, which is where the TSA agents’ break rooms are located, Kerlik said.

“Just because pay is disrupted doesn’t mean food shouldn’t be,” said Brian Gulish, spokesman for the food bank. “We want to make sure TSA workers, the people who keep the region moving, aren’t wondering about their next meal.”

Last week, food concessions located in the airport’s terminal started a food program as well.

“Free meals twice a week for all shifts,” Kerlik said.

Kerlik said both the concessions and food pantry will remain active providing free food until the shutdown ends.