HOUSTON – As the partial government shutdown continues, Houston-area businesses are stepping up to help out families with loved ones affected by the situation.
From free pizza to barbecue and more, here’s a list of just some of the establishments helping government workers feeling the pinch.
The Alley Theatre - 615 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002. "All federal employees can purchase two discounted tickets to preview performances ofThe Carpenter by entering the promo code SHUTDOWN. A federal employee or federal contractor ID is required to pick up tickets. The offer is good for performances ofThe Carpenter January 18-23. To purchase discounted $16 tickets and view preview performance dates, visitalleytheatre.org or call the Box Office at 713-220-5700."
Arbor Terrace at Kingwood Town Center - 2807 Kings Crossing Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345 - Arbor Terrace at Kingwood Town Center will be collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for those in need. Please bring food items, toiletries, diapers, gift cards, and other necessary items to our community anytime to help support our government employees. Those in need can feel free to stop by and pick up items to take home. Must show valid government ID.
Bethels Heavenly Hands - 12660 Sandpiper Drive Houston 77035 - Bethels Heavenly Hands is offering free groceries between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and free hot meals every Tuesday and Thursday between 11 a.m. and noon.
Bistro Provence - 13616 Memorial, Houston, TX 77079 - Any furloughed federal worker or worker having to work without pay during the shutdown can enjoy a free lunch Monday through Friday while the shutdown lasts. There will be a choice of one of two main course dishes which will be included on the daily blackboard special. They will change each day. The offer, which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, is good one time per person. Proof of furlough with a federally-issued government ID will be requested. Because the number of lunches per day are limited based on business volume (the bistro seats 40) reservations are required. It is for dine-in only.
Bread Man Baking Co. - . On Friday, free bread will be available for pick up at their bakery located at 9127 Stella Link Rd. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and, on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market located on the corner of Buffalo Speedway and Westheimer.
Chick-fil-A Deerbrook Mall - 20131 Highway 59 N Suite 2106, Humble, TX – On Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Chick-fil-A Deerbrook Mall invites all government employees affected by the government shutdown to enjoy a free original Chick-fil-A sandwich or a 4-count chicken mini. Valid government ID is required, one offer per guest present. Offer is valid at Chick-fil-A Deerbrook Mall only.
D’Amico’s Italian Market Café - 5510 Morningside, Houston, TX, 77005 - All furloughed workers plus one guest can eat spaghetti and meatballs, for lunch or dinner, Monday through Thursday while the shutdown lasts. The offer, which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, is good one time per person. Proof of furlough with a federally-issued government ID will be requested. The offer is for dine-in only and reservations are encouraged.
El Segundo - 306 Main St. Houston, TX 77002. "Two free tacos and a beverage every Thursday for all federal employees affected by the furlough. Must have current Federal ID."
Evolution Rx Pharmacy - 931 Eldridge Road in Sugar Land. "If anyone needs any help paying for their medications, we’re happy to offer deferred payment or payment plans depending on household size and need."
Also, we can ship out at no charge so that we can help as many people in the viewing area.
Fuzzy's Pizza - 613 B South Mason Road, Katy, TX, 77450 - Fuzzy's is offering 50 percent off to furloughed employees.
Golden Corral in Conroe, TX: This location will provide free meals for any furloughed worker - and their family - during normal operating hours ALL WEEKEND (Jan. 19 - 20). Each federal employee showing a valid work ID will receive a free meal for themselves and their family during the weekend (starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and ending at 9 p.m. Sunday).
Gringo's Tex Mex: Federal workers can have free meals at all Gringo's Tex Mex locations up to a family of 4. They must first contact lindi@gringostexmex.com to enroll and then they can visit a restaurant for complimentary meals.
Harlem Globetrotters - The Harlem Globetrotters announced today that the team is offering complimentary game tickets to any U.S. government employee currently on furlough to the 2019 Fan Powered North American tour. The Globetrotters have three games at the Fertitta Center at the University of Houston on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m.
The Health Museum - 1515 Hermann Dr. Houston, Texas 77004. "Federal employees affected by the government shutdown are invited to visit the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science for FREE! The Health Museum is offering free admission to furloughed federal employees, providing access to Houston’s most interactive science & health learning center through the month of February 2019."
Houston Party Playland - 1121 W. Nasa Parkway, Webster, Texas 77598. "Houston Party Playland is offering free admission Monday the 21st through Friday the 25th for government workers and their children. After that, it will be $5 admission until the shutdown ends."
Killen's BBQ - 3613 E Broadway Street, Pearland, TX 77581- Furlough Friday entails a free family pack of brisket, sausage, potato salad and beans for all government employees affected by the shutdown. Must have government identification. While supplies last. Come to the west to-go window.
Killen's Burgers - 2804 S Main St., Pearland, TX 77581. "Starting this Monday and everyday until further notice. We will be giving away a Cheeseburger basket with a beverage to all Furloughed Government employees, 1 per person."
Logan Farms - "Until further notice, each Wednesday from 11a-5p, beginning January 23rd, 2019, Logan Farms Honey Glazed Hams & Market Café at 10950 Westheimer Rd. will offer a free ham or turkey po-boy basket that includes a drink and chips to NASA employees, TSA officers and all other federal employees who present a Federal I.D. in our restaurant. Houstonians, if you know of any federal employees in our area who have been affected by the recent government shutdown, we encourage you to share this information with them."
METRO Houston - "Federal workers ride free. Beginning today (Monday), employees affected by the partial government shutdown can ride METRO free until the government reopens. Just show the operator your government ID."
NobiliTea Clear Lake - 11510 Space Center Blvd STE A-1 Houston TX 77059. "Stop in this Saturday with your Government ID for Free Sweet Saturday!! Grab any size tea bar tea and a delicious chocolate chip cookie."
Ouisie's Table - 3939 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77027 - From now until the shutdown ends, any furloughed federal worker or worker having to work without pay during the shutdown can get a free main course of any item on the menu for lunch any day of the week. For dinner, the restaurant is offering any main course offering up to $30 at no cost. The offer is good once a week per person. Proof of furlough with a federally-issued government ID will be requested. The offer is for dine-in only and for groups of four or less. Reservations are required.
Papa John's - 3 locations. "We are offering 75% off our menu item prices for all the affected government employees who present on our 3 locations listed below with their government issued ID's."
List of participating locations:
Papa John's Pasadena
138 Southmore Ave,
Pasadena TX 77502
713-534-7272
Papa John's Rosharon
14634 Hwy 6
Rosharon TX 77583
281-915-5867
Papa John's Southwest Houston
8420 South Sam Houston Pkwy West
Houston TX 77085
713-721-8383
Pearland Pets is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Pearland. We are needing your help in getting the word out that the Pearland Pet Food Bank will be opening on an appointment-only basis for anyone affected by the Government Shutdown. As with many of us, many government workers live paycheck to paycheck and we want to ensure their pets remain well fed during this time. We also want to ensure that these pets remain in their homes, instead of surrendered to a local shelter, because someone affected by the shutdown may be unable to afford pet food or supplies for their pets during the government shutdown. All pet food and supplies are given at no cost. Our goal is to provide a 30-day supply of food for each pet. We are also needing help stocking our Pet Food Bank. We are needing pet food and supply donations that can be dropped off at one of our many drop-off locations throughout Pearland.
Pet Vet Animal Hospitals - 6763 Highway 6 South, Suite 1800, 77083, 9695 Southwest Freeway @ Bissonnett 77074, 1520 Bay Area Blvd, 77546 - During the shutdown, all three Pet Vet Animal Hospitals are offering a single dose of dog or cat heartworm or flea preventive. For heartworm dose, your pet must have a recent negative heartworm test. If you do not, we can do that for you. Must show valid government ID.
Pipeline Pizza - 3931 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX, 77504 – Free pizza every day for anyone affected by the partial government shutdown. Identification requested.
Rainbow Lodge - 2011 Ella Boulevard, Houston, TX 77008 - Any furloughed federal worker or worker having to work without pay during the shutdown a free bowl of Smoked Duck Gumbo from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday until the government reopens. The offer, which requests the purchase of a beverage and a gratuity for the server, is good one time per person. Proof of furlough with a federally-issued government ID will be requested. The offer is for dine-in only and for groups of four or less.
Ray's BBQ Shack - 3929 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77021. "In the spirit of MLK Day & lending a helping hand to our neighbors, we will be providing FURLOUGHED federal government employees free meals TODAY. Individuals will receive a 2 meat plate with their choice of 2 sides. Families will receive a Family Pack #1. You must provide the appropriate Government ID for the agencies affected by the furlough."
Smallcakes - 10555 Pearland Pkwy Unit H, Houston, TX 77089 - The Pearland Parkway location will be providing desserts on Friday, accompanying the BBQ dinner provided by Killens BBQ to those affected by the furlough. BBQ and Smallcakes desserts will be handed out at Killens BBQ To-go window. While supplies last.
Tacos My Way - 17068 Saturn Lane Houston TX 77058 - 20% off for furloughed employees. Identification required.
Three B's Grill - 4590 Kingwood Dr. Kingwood, TX77345 - "Three Bs Grill would like to help all those affected by the ongoing Government shutdown. All Goverment workers affected please bring the family and stop by the restaurant where we will feed the kids, and take care of half of mom and dads food!
Its not anywhere close to fixing what y'all are going through but we appreciate all you do and maybe this will put a smile on your faces for a little while.Please bring your Government issue ID and we will take care of the rest! We’ve got your back for as long as this goes on!"
3 Men Movers - "Direct Federal Government Employees (not contractors) will be eligible for 25 percent off their move pending the following terms: Call in to book your move; The representative will ask you to email them a photo of your current Federal Government ID; Discount is valid Monday -- Thursday for afternoon moves only; Discount applies to the hourly rate and transparent travel fee only."
24 Hour Notary Houston - "I would like to offer my mobile notary services for impacted government employees who may require notary services such as a hardship loan request, home or auto loan modification, and other related documents. Government ID required and proof of zero pay.
"Services will be be provided at the customers location of choice."
West Houston Assistance Ministries - "Affected individuals and families can receive groceries from WHAM’s food pantry at 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, TX 77042, Monday-Friday from 10am to 2pm. Proof of government employment or copy of last paycheck will be required for assistance. Please call 713-977-9942 for further information."
If you know a business that’s offering help for government workers, let us know! Include the business name, address and what it's offering in an email to storyideas@kprc.com.