The partial government shutdown is in its third week. While thousands of furloughed federal workers are affected in North Carolina, some from the Environmental Protection Agency are keeping busy as volunteers.
One day, out-of-work EPA workers did light housework at the Ronald McDonald House. Another day, they wrapped bundles of diapers at the Diaper Bank or volunteered at the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina.
“The Food Bank has told us these are going to children who don’t have enough over the weekend," said longtime EPA employee Alison Davis.
Davis has worked for the EPA 19 years, with most of that time in Research Triangle Park. For now, she’s bagging soup, fruit cups and cereal.
“And this allows us to continue public service while we’re shut down," said Davis. "It also gives us a place to go and be every day.”
Davis and many of her co-workers remember the 2013 government shut down, when they also volunteered. Brett Gantt was hired to work for the EPA one month before the 2013 shutdown.
“I think a lot of us are a little bit nervous about what the future is going to hold and how long it’s going to last, because a lot of people can’t weather a very long shutdown," said Gantt.
Tiffany Purifoy has worked for the EPA the past four years. She says the first thing she did after being furloughed was pay all of her bills. Then she decided to give back.
“I usually do the donations because of the busy life that I live, but to finally have the time to do the hands on part is really fulfilling,” said Purifoy.
Just over 7,000 workers across North Carolina are affected by the government shutdown. But many of them are not able to volunteer. For example, TSA workers at Raleigh Durham International Airport and officers at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex have to report to work, but don’t get paid.
