Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is calling on the public to step up for the federal workers keeping it running during the ongoing partial government shutdown — employees who received a paycheck of exactly zero dollars on March 13th and are still showing up to work.
The airport has set up a donation station called Compassion Corner in Terminal 4, located pre-security near the elevator bank by the B Security Checkpoint. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with parking validated for anyone stopping by to drop off donations. The collection effort will remain active until the shutdown ends.
The timing couldn’t be more difficult. March is Sky Harbor’s single busiest month of the year, and the airport is currently seeing higher-than-usual passenger traffic. While checkpoint wait times have remained manageable so far, officials warn that the financial strain on frontline workers is expected to lead to increased absences — which would ripple into longer lines and slower operations for travelers.
The airport is specifically requesting non-perishable, pre-packaged food suitable for distribution around the clock, store-specific gift cards in denominations of $20 or less — including Fry’s, Walmart, Costco and QuikTrip — as well as hygiene products and baby essentials such as diapers, wipes and formula. Generic prepaid Visa, Mastercard or American Express gift cards will not be accepted, and no cash donations are being taken.
Anyone with questions can reach the airport at [email protected].
