A dental healthcare company is offering free cleanings and oral exams, O’Brien’s Pub in Newport is giving families free pizza, and SALT Cycle Studio in Tiverton is offering free classes.
“Our 45 minute classes, they’re really uplifting. So we just wanted to open up the door for them to have a little bit of fun,” owner Kayla Couto said.
The RISD Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Wilbury Theatre, and Rhode Island Philharmonic are all providing free admission to unpaid workers. And the Diocese of Providence is distributing food and gas gift cards, along with heating and prescription drug assistance.
Elsewhere in the state, a group of preschools is providing free childcare to Coast Guard families. The city of Newport is offering unpaid federal employee relief on their water and sewer bills. And the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority is putting loan payments on hold for strained federal employees.
State lawmakers are also stepping in to help. A bill introduced by Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) would block collection of credit card, car loan, mortgage and rent payments. Euer compared the bill to one that protects military personnel from eviction.
“Very similarly we have protections in place for active duty service members who go abroad or who are deployed,” Euer said.
A separate bill introduced by Sen. William Conley (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) would allow cities and towns to give furloughed federal workers a break on local taxes.
But as the shutdown approaches the one-month mark, local service providers are bracing for the impact to get worse if lawmakers in Washington don’t reach a deal soon.
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank is a anticipating they’ll see more families looking to food pantries for help in February. And Rhode Island Department of Human Services representatives said they’re worried that SNAP benefits may not be available for March, if the shutdown lasts that long.
