In Arkansas alone, nearly 7,000 federal civilian employees have gone without a paycheck for 32 days. As the shutdown drags on, local businesses and leaders are giving back in a variety of ways. From free and discounted meals to stress-relieving yoga and a donation drive, central Arkansans are helping to ease the burden of the government shutdown.
Free and discounted meals:
Hawgz Blues Cafe
For the past two Sundays, Hawgz Blues Cafe has offered free meals to government employees on furlough. Hawgz will continue serving free meals each Sunday until the shutdown is over. Sunday hours are from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Taziki’s is offering a 25 percent discount to federal employees and immediate family who are furloughed or working without pay at all Taziki’s locations in Arkansas. To use the discount at Taziki’s, you’ll just need to present a valid government ID.
Kyle Pounders is following the lead of Chef Jose Andres, the chef who opened an emergency kitchen in Washington to feed furloughed federal workers. Starting Wednesday, Jan. 23, Pounders and his crew will be slinging hot, chef-made meals free of charge to furloughed federal employees and their families. He vows to feed employees affected by the shutdown every day until they get another paycheck.
Free yoga:
Barefoot Studio
Barefoot Studio is offering free yoga to furloughed and unpaid government employees during the shutdown. To receive a month of unlimited free yoga, contact the studio to set up your account, or present your government issued ID at the front desk. No pre-registration is required. Those on current studio class packages or monthly unlimited packages can also have their packages placed on hold until the government reopens. And if the shutdown drags on beyond a free month? Barefoot will add another and then another if needed. If you have any questions, contact Barefoot at Tristan@BarefootStudio.com or (501) 661-8005.
Free Arkansas Symphony Orchestra tickets:
The ASO is offering free tickets to federal government employees (with valid ID) who want to attend this weekend’s concert “Chopin & Mendelssohn” on Jan. 26 and 27. Call (501) 666-1761 ext. 100 or email tickets@arkansassymphony.org to order.
Discounted eyeglasses and sunglasses:
McFarland Eye Care is offering a 20 percent discount on glasses and sunglasses to impacted government employees. This applies to their Little Rock and Hot Springs locations. For more info, visit the McFarland Eye Care website.
“Quick” loans, fee waivers and reduced interest rates:
The Arkansas Bankers Association announced that 14 Arkansas banks will offer “quick” loans, fee waivers and reduced interest rates to federal workers affected by the partial government shutdown.
Here’s a list of participating banks:
- Armor Bank
- Arvest Bank
- Eagle Bank & Trust
- Evolve Bank & Trust
- Farmers Bank & Trust (Blytheville)
- Farmers Bank & Trust (Magnolia)
- Fidelity National Bank
- First Arkansas Bank & Trust
- First Community Bank
- First Delta Bank
- First National Bank of Wynne
- FNBC Bank
- Merchants & Farmers Bank
- Southern Bancorp Bank
Know of other businesses or groups pitching in? Email info@littlerocksoiree.com and we’ll update our list.