As the federal government shutdown continues into its third week, Salt Lake City officials have stepped in to support hundreds of unpaid federal employees working at Salt Lake City International Airport.
On October 7, the Salt Lake City Council approved a $100,000 emergency budget amendment from the airport fund to provide relief for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff who are required to work without pay.
The funds have been used to create a food pantry at the airport, offering essential groceries and hygiene products to roughly 400 TSA employees and 30 CBP agents. The pantry is located near the airport’s offices and open to federal employees affected by the shutdown.
“These employees aren’t making necessarily robust wages — they’re public servants,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “When people can’t bring a paycheck home through no fault of their own, it compromises the stability of an entire community.”
So far, the airport has not reported any operational delays, but Bill Wyatt, the airport’s executive director, warned that missed paychecks could soon lead to staffing challenges. “We’re entering the first pay period where these employees will get nothing,” Wyatt said. “The effects will start showing soon.”
Mendenhall urged travelers passing through the airport to show empathy: “Bring an extra dose of patience. Give grace to these federal employees — they’re still showing up to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Community members can also contribute to relief efforts by donating non-perishable food items at the airport’s travel plaza, located near the Chevron gas station.
The initiative underscores Salt Lake City’s growing role in mitigating the human cost of the shutdown, ensuring that critical airport operations — and the people behind them — continue functioning despite federal gridlock.
