NFTA holds donation drive for TSA workers

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The NFTA is looking to help Transportation Security Agency workers who have been on the job without a paycheck for the past month with a donation drive.

"We're organizing a community donation drive at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to recognize and support our dedicated TSA employees who are continuing to work diligently every day ensuring the safety and security of our travelers at both the Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports," says the NFTA's Kelly Khatib.

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Today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., upstate New Yorkers were invited to participate by donating gift cards valued at $20 or less. Many expect drives like this to gain momentum nationally. Collected items will be distributed to TSA staff. "This is in response to many members of the public asking how they can show support in their appreciation for the TSA employees, as well as something that we've been wanting to do internally," says Khatib. "We understand what's happening in the world right now, and it is a struggle, and no matter where you sit on any sort of party line or anything of that matter. You know these people need help. You know they have to pay their bills. So we're trying to definitely make sure that we can do everything that we can to help."

There are no specific gift card brands or stores preferred, according to Khatib, but all gifts are appreciated by workers trying to make ends meet, feed their families, pay mortgages, and more, with $0 paychecks and no end to the partial government shutdown in sight.