Free offers for Houston families affected by government shutdown

Many Houston businesses have been searching for their own ways to help workers impacted by the government shutdown.

Killen's Barbecue offered free food to families affected by the government shutdown. In an event called "Furlough Friday," Killen's will offer a bbq sandwich and a bag of chips to all government employees affected by the shutdown.

The restaurant plans on continuing their support every Friday until the shutdown is over.

Those who qualify will need to bring their government ID with them to receive their free meal, while supplies last, and have been instructed to arrive at the west to-go window to pick up their food.

Meal offers

• Tony's will welcome the city's federal employees for a complimentary, gourmet appreciation lunch on Sunday, Feb. 10.
• Killen's Barbecue offer a free family pack of brisket, sausage, potato salad, and beans to all government employees affected by the shutdown. They plan on continuing their support every Friday until the shutdown is over. Those who qualify will need to bring their government ID with them to receive their free meal, while supplies last, and have been instructed to arrive at the west to-go window to pick up their food.
• D'Amico's Italian Market Café in Rice Village: Workers and one guest can eat free for lunch and dinner, Monday through Thursday while the shutdown lasts.
• Bistro Provence in the Energy Corridor in West Houston: Free lunch Monday through Friday.
• Ouisie's Table near River Oaks: 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.
• Rainbow Lodge on White Oak Bayou: Get a free bowl of Smoked Duck Gumbo from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday until the government reopens.
• Poitin in Washington Avenue Arts District: Free bar menu food Monday through Friday during happy hour from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• The Bread Man Baking Company: Government employees with proper credentials/ID can receive a free loaf of artisan bread on Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Located at 9127 Stella Link Rd.
• Lasagna House: Grab some lasagna or a free pasta bowl and a glass of iced tea on Friday
• Kids Meals: Families financially impacted by the partial government shutdown and struggling to feed their children can turn to Kids' Meals for free, healthy meals for their children under 6-years-old.
• Sipipa is offering more than 1000 free pizzas. There's a max of two pizzas per family.

Food offers

If you or another federal government employee are forced to seek charitable food after missing a paycheck, visit Hunger Free America, a nonprofit group helping people locate free food.

Kids Meals Houston is offering free meals for pre-school aged children of furloughed government employees and contractors. To receive the free meals for kids under age 6, the employees will need to download and complete a Temporary Meal Support Application at kidsmealsinc.org and take it to 330 Garden Oaks Blvd. with their federal employee/contractor ID.

Other offers

• The Children's Museum of Houston and the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center will offer free admission to families affected by the federal government shutdown beginning Jan. 19, 2019. Furloughed workers will be requested to show their federally-issued government ID.
• Harlem Globetrotters are offering free tickets to families of furloughed federal workers when they perform in Houston on Feb. 15-17.

• METRO is offering free bus, rail, Park and Rides and Lift rides at no cost for furloughed workers during the shutdown.

• League City Council is waiving utility bills including water, sewer and trash pickup for government workers who are furloughed or working without pay.
• Houston Public Works is providing a special grace period on water and wastewater bill payments by federal employees affected by the federal government shutdown. Federal workers who pay City of Houston water bills should call 713-371-1400 to receive a 30-day extension of their payment deadline without penalties or interest charges.
• CHI Haircare is offering free CHI Infra Tro Kits, which includes, infusion, shampoo and hair treatments.