WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — The United Way is offering help on four wheels to those impacted by the government shutdown.
The agency’s 211 RV spent two hours at T.F. Green Airport Wednesday afternoon, helping more than 30 workers who have been furloughed or are working without pay.
Jay Burdick, United Way’s outreach coordinator, said they, in conjunction with the Diocese of Providence and Society of St. Vincent de Paul Rhode Island, were handing out gift cards, diapers, toiletries and food to those in need, as well as connecting people with the proper services.
“We’ve had a lot of people here asking about heating assitance, utility assistance, and some people who have come in here needing food to get them through the end of the month,” Burdick said. “We’ve had some requests for some loans that people might be able to get, to get them through this time. It’s tough on everybody and we’ve seen some people who are close to the edge and needing a lot of services and a lot of help.”
The federal government shutdown reached the 33-day mark on Wednesday, meaning workers are now set to miss a second paycheck.
The Rhode Island Dept. of Labor and Training estimates of the 11,000 federal workers in the state, 2,000 are impacted by the shutdown.
The United Way plans to bring the RV back to T.F. Green on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
