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Airport Partners with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to Assist Federal Workers During Government Shutdown
Airport Partners with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to Assist Federal Workers During Government Shutdown
“Operation Uplift” to Provide Food and Household Essentials
BIRMINGHAM, AL (October 30th, 2025) – Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) has partnered with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to assist federal workers at the airport who are working without pay during the government shutdown. There are nearly 200 federal workers at BHM who play a critical role in helping to keep the airport and the skies safe. They work for the Federal Aviation Administration (Air Traffic Control), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP).
The 117th Air Refueling Wing, a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard, is also based at the airport. There are 440 full-time employees with the 117th who are also not getting paid during the shutdown. The Community Food Bank has stepped in to make food and essential household items available to these workers during this time when their federal paychecks are not coming.
“We appreciate the Community Food Bank working so quickly to get this assistance out to federal workers,” said Ron Mathieu, President and CEO of the Birmingham Airport Authority. “Right now, these workers are coming in and getting the job done even though their paychecks are on hold,” said Mathieu. “Like many of us, they have families to support and bills to pay”.
Operation UpLift
The Food Bank set up a distribution point at the airport on Thursday, October 30th. More than 600 federal workers at the airport were invited to drive through and pick up boxes of food and various household essentials.
“At the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, we believe no one should have to worry about feeding their family—especially those who work tirelessly to keep our community safe,” said Nicole Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. During this challenging time, we’re honored to stand alongside Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to offer a helping hand. Together, we can ensure that food is one less thing these dedicated workers have to worry about while also providing a meaningful way for our community to show its support,” said Williams.
How the Community Can Help
Individuals and organizations can help support families during the shutdown by donating HERE. Your gift today stays local to provide nourishing meals and hope to your impacted neighbors across central Alabama.
About the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama’s mission is to feed people in need today and foster collaborative solutions to end hunger tomorrow. Its mission is accomplished by sourcing food and distributing food through a network of nearly 300 distribution partners directly into our 12-county service area (Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker, and Winston Counties). In 2024, the Community Food Bank distributed over 24.6 million pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 20.6 million meals, to our neighbors facing hunger. More information is available at feedingAL.org.
About Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
As Alabama’s largest commercial airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has served as a gateway to the sky for more than 90 years. Governed by the Birmingham Airport Authority, the airport continues to be a catalyst for growth and economic development for the entire region. For more information, visit flybhm.com or follow BHM on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Kim Hunt
Birmingham Airport Authority
#205-510-6676
Ginger Pegues
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
#205-942-8911 ext. 110
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