Free Knoxville meals, Sevier County enjoyable for federal employees in shutdown

With the federal authorities shutdown in its fourth week − and with out a clear finish in sight − companies in East Tennessee are taking it upon themselves to make sure authorities workers struggling to make ends meet can take pleasure in free meals and slightly enjoyable throughout this tough time.

The shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. historical past, and hundreds of federal workers have been furloughed or are persevering with to work with out a paycheck. Government advantages like SNAP are prone to not being issued after October, in keeping with the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Just as native teams have come collectively to maintain Great Smoky Mountains National Park open in the course of the shutdown, a handful of eating places and sights − together with some within the Smokies − are doing what they’ll to supply a way of normalcy to authorities employees.

We’ve compiled a listing under of companies we all know are providing free services and products to federal workers. Send an e mail to joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com to have your online business thought-about for this listing and to share suggestions or questions concerning the shutdown.

Top Concepts affords free admission to those Pigeon Forge sights

Top Concepts, the managing firm behind a number of of Pigeon Forge’s in style sights, is providing free admission for federal workers to a few of its companies: Crave Golf Club, Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show, Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay, TopBounce Trampoline & Extreme Arena and Toy Box Mini Golf.

To obtain free admission, federal workers have to current a federal ID and a current pay stub on the ticketing counter of the attraction they’re visiting.

“We know how stressful a government shutdown can be for families,” Top Concepts managing associate Chucky Blalock stated in a information launch. “We wanted to offer a little escape – a chance to relax, have fun and enjoy time together while things get sorted out in Washington.”

Ruby Sunshine in Knoxville, past providing free meals on weekdays

Ruby Sunshine, a well-liked downtown breakfast spot at 37 Market Square, is offering a free meal to federal workers Monday-Friday. The worth is capped at $20 per meal, and the provide is obtainable in any respect places nationwide.

Guests should current a sound government-issued ID to redeem the meal, in keeping with a information launch.

“Federal employees are facing an uncertain time, and providing a meal is one small way we can support them,” Ruby Sunshine CEO Elizabeth McGee stated within the launch. “Delicious food has always been central to bringing people together, and we hope this gesture offers a moment of comfort for those affected.”

Ruby Sunshine served hundreds of free meals to furloughed employees in the course of the 2019 shutdown.

Yassin’s Falafel House has free meals for federal employees throughout shutdown

Owning a restaurant has all the time been about greater than meals for Yassin Terou. It’s concerning the folks, and Yassin’s Falafel House is a Knoxville favourite for good purpose.

Yassin’s is providing one free meal a day to federal employees after they present their ID at both location − the Cedar Bluff restaurant at 159 N. Peter’s Road or the short-term Marble City Market stall at 333 W. Depot Ave., which is open whereas Yassin’s downtown constructing is renovated for a lodge.

West Knox and the opposite at Marble City Market. The provide began when the shutdown began and can proceed till it ends. Yassin’s supplied free meals to authorities employees in the course of the 35-day shutdown in 2019.

“When you’re not affected, that doesn’t mean nobody is affected,” Terou stated. “You are lucky to not be affected, but your neighbors, or maybe your brother, your sister is.”

Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers eating places and retail for the enterprise development and improvement crew. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna’s Eat65 e mail e-newsletter to get the newest drink and eating information, in addition to restaurant suggestions, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.

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