Nutley Seeks Gift Card Donations For Unpaid Government Workers

NUTLEY, NJ — As reports of humans helping humans during the ongoing federal government shutdown emerge in Essex County, Nutley officials are offering residents a way of helping their unpaid neighbors: a gift card donation drive.

On Wednesday, Nutley Commissioner Steven Rogers announced that the township is launching an effort to help federal workers who are going without pay during the shutdown.

“A local resident contacted my office and sought the assistance of the Department of Public Affairs in helping these families,” Rogers wrote in a letter to town residents. “Therefore, the Department of Public Affairs is requesting that the citizens of Nutley contribute gift cards for the purchase of groceries and other basic essentials.”

The gift cards can be dropped off at the Department of Public Affairs at 149 Chestnut Street in Nutley. The name of all recipients receiving gift cards will be kept confidential.

Donors should contact Sharon Bozza at 973-284-4976 with any questions. Federal government employees affected by the shutdown can also contact the office.

In New Jersey, about 5,000 federal government workers are going without pay as a result of the shutdown, a group of Democratic U.S. lawmakers said last week.

The shutdown was born from a bitter Democrat/Republican budget battle that escalated over the holiday season and reached its 24th day on Monday. President Trump is sticking with his demand for money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and Democrats, who took control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3, are refusing to give him what he wants.

• See related article: 5 Ways Government Shutdown Could Hurt New Jersey
• See related article: Essex County GOP Leader: Trump Is Right About Border Wall

The shutdown isn't just affecting government workers and their families, many of whom had to pinch pennies over the holiday season due to the lack of a paycheck. It's also throwing a monkey wrench into IRS refunds, SNAP and WIC benefits, school/daycare food programs and immigration courts.

• See related article: NJ Congresswoman-Elect Refuses Pay Until Government Shutdown Ends
• See related article: New Jersey Workers Pine For Paychecks Amid Government Shutdown
• See related article: Long Wait At Newark Airport During Shutdown? Fake News, TSA Says

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