re: How are our resident furloughed government workers doing?

My BIL is furloughed. He is working as a helper for an electrician making $14 an hour. Knew nothing about this job but the company needed helpers with a job. 630-3pm M-F w/weekends off. He actually said he likes this kind of work. Indoors & out of the weather for now.

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Why don’t you give them your paycheck

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Their pay has been taken from my paycheck for decades.

You do realize that Trump and the Republicans have brought to the house twice now to have all federal employees paid a paycheck! The first time only 6 Democrats showed up and the second time only 10 showed. Those frickers don’t give a damn about the workers!

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Their pay has been taken from my paycheck for decades.

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Their pay has been taken from their check too. Last I checked federal employees pay taxes too.

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Their pay has been taken from my paycheck for decades.

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We pay taxes just like you do, Boss Man.

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That may very well be true, but it's still pretty fricking stupid on your part to suggest that it's no big deal that fricking Coast Guardsmen aren't getting their paychecks because they eventually will in a few weeks. GTFO of here with that fricking bullshite. People put their fricking lives every day for their fellow Americans, and dumbasses have this fricking attitude. GFY.

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8/10 melt! I haven’t seen someone from Alabama melt down like that since January 7....

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You realize landlords and babysitters don't accept IOUs, right?

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*Incoming* sanctimonious “they should be more responsible and save” rant by some $40000-aire with maxed out credit who doesn’t have a dime saved.

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The difference is the taxes you pay don’t end up in my paycheck, Boss Lady.

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It would if you worked for the government. I mean, It sucks having to work for free you know. Sure, we WILL get paid, eventually, for every hour worked, but that doesn't necessarily pay the bills right now

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You know, when times get tough in business for whatever reason, workers in the private sector usually get a second or another temporary job to pay the bills and make due til things come back again. I realize public bureaucrats will probably find such a notion to be abhorrent but that’s what usually happens in the real world

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Well, I am one of those "Excepted" employees, where I still have to go to work full time. On top of that I have a hour and 15 minute drive one way to work. I live in a small town I GA, there aren't as many jobs around here. secondary employment also has to be signed off on by our head honcho.

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Any update?

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I received this email notification this morning:

PORCH PANTRY UPDATE (1/23-24)
I can’t even with this community right now. You guys have made my little grinch heart grow so many times in this last week. First, let me say, I’m not slowing down. People have it rough already in this country, and this shutdown is making it even worse. There are parents who are not eating meals because they have to put diapers on their kids this week. There are hungry and confused kids out there who have NO idea why things are the way they are. Their little, innocent brains also can’t even fathom the shite storm that may hit if these programs and the government don’t get funding past February.

Yes, WIC and SNAP are funded through February. Yes, people are filing for unemployment. Yes, usually people get backpay after these times pass. But, is anything for certain for March or with back pay? No. Are there close to 60K employees that are being forced to work or lose their job (or use all their sick pay) who aren’t allowed to file for unemployment? Yes. If you’re allowed to file, will it probably take close to a month before you see any money? Probably. Will that money be a close or equal representation of your paycheck that you get if you were allowed to work? Probably not.

Here is where we stand:

* This week is crazy for me. I’m getting to stuff as quickly as I can. And in as orderly a fashion as possible. I apologize if I’ve not gotten back to you. I’ll get there.

* I’m still not doing deliveries. We’re a little short this week with some extra purchases, and I can’t blow through the gas budget. Plus, again, craaaaazy week with personal items.

* BABY STUFF is coming in!! I’ve got lots of diapers and food. Also, a ton of formula. PM me and I’ll get it out there for you to pick up.

* Donations are pouring in because we have a fantastic community. Plain and simple. I can’t emphasize this enough...If you’ve dropped off stuff, dropped some cash, if you’ve shared my rambling posts...thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I still have some money available to me to do some shopping soon. And I’m excited to restock based on the needs and questions I’m getting as feedback. This will go a long way to have an even bigger impact!!! If I haven’t mentioned it before....you are effin’ awesome! So many happy tears lately.

* FURRY KIDS (pets)!!! I’ve placed items on the amazon wish list for your fur babies too. If you need something, ask. Right now, there’s some canned cat food that’s available in the pantry. I’ve kept the bags of food inside away from critters who will catch that scent. I’m working on getting more doggie stuff though. Stay tuned. If you have a cat and need some wet food or some meow mix, come on by!!

* Crazy winter weather!! I’m keeping an eye on the weather. There is a tarp covering the items when it’s sprinkling or raining. If the temps stay too low for too long, I may need to bring some of the stuff inside. I’ll make those decisions as we get to it, and update accordingly.

* TARP! If the tarp is over it, please just peek under and grab the items you need. If I hear rustling out there (that’s not accompanied with little critter chitters), I’m going to leave you alone. So, don’t worry about it. My pantry is open 24 hours a day. Some people get off of work at 3 am...I get it. Seriously, come by and don’t be discouraged by the tarp. It’s just there because the roof over my porch leaks.

* DONATIONS!! If you’re looking to donate:
- just drop by and leave it. I’ll do the sorting and stocking. If you need help carrying from the car, I’m probably home. Just knock! Please keep knocking to “normalish” hours though. I do have a kiddo, and believe me, I’m not helpful nor happy before normal morning hours or my first cup of tea. And/or the hubster may be home which is even better for assistance.
- Amazon Wishlist: LINK
- Venmo. Please PM me for ID.
- NEW!! Gift cards. If you’d like to purchase gift cards for families to use, or for me to use for stocking, you can pop them in the mail to me or drop them off. For security reasons here, I’d like to arrange for me to be here to personally take it for you. It’s as good as cash, and I want to make sure they are going to go to the right place.

* SPACE!! I’m working on getting new ideas and totes and shelves to hold the food. If anyone has any ideas of how to better display and stock this food, please shoot me a line. The tote I’m using was only $5ish, so I may just go get a couple more. That’s the best solution I can come up with so there’s more items away from the elements. Living in an apartment with zero pantry space for my family, we’ve given up some of our “pantry”. So, I may be swapping out some shelves soon. If you’ve already visited and seen the set up, don’t be alarmed if it changes over the next couple of weeks.

*SHARE for me! Please share in your groups you might be involved in. Mom’s workout groups! Animal rescue! Crazy cat lady groups! Knitting groups! D&D groups! Gaming groups! I can’t reach everyone who has a need, but I sure can ask you to.

Finally...
* I’m working on creating a FB group. It will be for any party interested in the information. Donations, needing food, other programs/individuals who’d like to share with my audience, etc. I’m still setting everything up and brainstorming. But, I believe this will be helpful for many reasons. Mostly, so I can just post to one central location. I’m planning on keeping up with other offers in the area and posting here as well. Also, possibly keeping a running list of what’s here and what’s needed. But, like I said, we’re in the early stages here, so I really have no earthly idea what I’m doing yet.

I’m just being as real as possible for everyone so far. There’s a need, and I’m going to do my best to fill that need. I’m not perfect, but I’m learning. If you have any questions or suggestions, please PM me.