Duluth Airport Collects Donations for TSA Workers During Government Shutdown

TSA officers at Duluth International Airport have been showing up to screen travelers every day without receiving a paycheck, and the Duluth Airport Authority wants the Northland to know about it. The Duluth Airport Authority launched a donation drive to support Transportation Security Administration employees at Duluth International Airport during the ongoing government shutdown.

The Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA, has been in a partial shutdown since mid-February, meaning TSA officers are working without pay. Across the country, collections are popping up to help TSA officers who have been without full pay for more than a month. The DAA's drive is Duluth's answer to that national crisis.

The DAA announced it has started organizing donations for TSA employees at Duluth International Airport who are being affected by the shutdown. During the drive, people can donate things like non-perishable food, gas and store-specific gift cards, and everyday essentials for the workers and their families. The full list of requested items, as detailed by the DAA, includes toiletries, personal care products and household essentials like cleaning supplies.

Operations at Duluth International Airport are continuing as normal, despite disruptions in pay for TSA. The officers staffing security checkpoints at DLH have continued reporting to work even as their paychecks have not arrived.

"This is an opportunity for our community to come together and support the dedicated individuals who continue to show up and work tirelessly to keep our airport safe," said Natalie Baker, Director of Communications and Marketing for the DAA. "All contributions can make a meaningful difference during this challenging time."

Donations are being accepted at the DAA office at 4701 Grinden Drive in Duluth through April 3, during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The DAA office can be reached at (218) 727-2968. For questions or to coordinate a drop-off, contact Natalie Baker directly at (218) 625-7768 or nbaker@duluthairport.com.

The Duluth effort mirrors similar initiatives taking shape at airports nationwide. Operation Food Search is working closely with TSA to set up a temporary pantry at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, which a Missouri hunger relief nonprofit's CEO described as the first time they've distributed directly to TSA employees where they work. In San Diego, Feeding San Diego began distributing 400 boxes with pasta, beans and peanut butter as well as fresh produce to affected agents near the airport.

The broader picture for TSA workers nationally is stark. Union leaders have said the situation can be "life or death" for some workers, with union members unable to cover utility bills or pay for their children's medical procedures, and some receiving eviction notices or having cars repossessed.

In Duluth, the DAA is counting on the community to provide at least partial relief before the shutdown ends. The donation window closes April 3.