Residents and leaders in the Charleston area are rallying to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers at Charleston International Airport who are going without pay during the partial federal government shutdown. Local pilots and the pizza shop D’Allesandro’s Pizza have already delivered free lunches to the TSA staff to boost morale, and now a larger community drive is being organized.
Community food and essentials drive
Former North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey and Charleston County School District Superintendent Anita Huggins are hosting a community food and essentials drive at District Four Stadium on Montague Avenue in North Charleston this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organizers are asking for nonperishable food plus household items like detergent, hand towels, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and personal‑hygiene products; all donations will go directly to TSA employees and their families at the airport.
Why local leaders are involved
Summey stressed that TSA officers play a vital role in airport safety and that the community should step in to support them and their families while they work without pay. Huggins noted that many affected TSA employees have children in Charleston County schools and said the district wants to demonstrate that the community stands with them during the shutdown.
