Free tickets to events across the country are being offered to furloughed workers after the ongoing government shutdown has left more than 800,000 people without a paycheck.
The shutdown was issued on December 22, 2018, and is now officially the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Across the country, movie theatres, museums, sports teams, and concert venues are offering free tickets to events. Washington D.C. has an array of discounted or free activities for workers to participate in, banks and businesses in Houston are waiving late fees on bills, and a long list of restaurants in Denver are offering free meals.
The Harlem Globetrotters are among those offering to help workers; government employees will be offered two complimentary game tickets as long as the shutdown continues to any of their 250 appearances this year.
“As the Ambassadors of Goodwill, we want to show our support to all those government workers whose paychecks, and by extension their families, are directly impacted,” Globetrotter President Howard Smith said in a statement.
Additionally, symphonies all over the U.S. are offering furloughed workers free shows. The Spokane Symphony in Washington is offering shows to “give [workers] the happiness that live music and the performing arts can provide,” and the Akron Symphony Orchestra said it is offering free shows because “classical music has been shown to reduce stress and increase happiness, which is something that everyone can use.”
The Florida Orchestra, Wisconsin Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, and Boston Symphony Orchestra also have tickets up-for-grabs.
“We have a lot of federal employees here and so we are trying to at least give them an hour and half of hopeful pleasure in an ever-darkening world for them as this shutdown gets protracted,” Boston Symphony President and CEO Mark Volpe said.
Cities have also taken action to help out those in need. Starting tomorrow, furloughed workers in Chicago can receive free comedy show tickets, dinner at no cost, and improvisation classes for no charge at The Second City Training Center. The organization also gave a $2,000 donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
“While there is no one who could benefit more from the improv experience than our current administration, we instead humbly offer the federal workers affected by the shutdown a chance to come join us,” The Second City CEO and Executive Producer Andrew Alexander said in a statement. “It’s a tremendous honor to welcome those who may need a reminder America is still brimming with people looking to take care of each other.”
Check out your local news stations to find free groceries, donations, tickets, and meals in a city closest to you.
