Airports set up donation drives for unpaid TSA officers

Airports including Denver, Reno‑Tahoe and Seattle have organized donation drives, pantries and partnerships to support TSA officers working without pay amid a Department of Homeland Security funding lapse.

Airports have organized donation drives and food pantries to support Transportation Security Administration officers who are working without pay. The funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security has left many TSA employees unpaid and reporting financial strain. Local airport authorities and partner groups have announced collection efforts and grocery deliveries for impacted staff. Officials also report increases in staff departures and unscheduled absences during the shutdown. Key points: - A Department of Homeland Security funding lapse has resulted in TSA officers working without pay, and some employees are described as financially struggling. - Airports including Denver International, Reno‑Tahoe and Seattle‑Tacoma announced donation drives, food pantries, or partnerships to deliver groceries and supplies to affected officers. - A TSA official told reporters that more than 300 airport security officers have left since the start of the shutdown and that unscheduled absences averaged about 6%. - A TSA officer at Ronald Reagan Washington National said some colleagues are able to keep reporting to work only with financial help from family. Summary: Community-organized donations and airport-led support efforts are providing short-term assistance to unpaid TSA staff while the funding lapse continues. Reported staff departures and higher absence rates point to operational strain at some airports. Undetermined at this time.