As the current federal government shutdown drags on over a month, Poor Richard’s Restaurant is giving free meals and drinks to all federal employees and their families who have been furloughed, dismissed or are working without pay. “We just want to help our dedicated, local federal employees when they and their families need it most,” say co-owners Richard Skorman and Patricia Seator.
The couple is encouraging affected people to bring their ID and appetite. They simply need to present their government ID and register; then once a week they can enjoy a meal and drink on Poor Richard’s.
“After nearly a month, federal employees and their families have to be really struggling,” Skorman says when asked “why now?” “We just want to help a little and let them know that they are appreciated. None are getting rich. They mostly have their jobs because they care about the people they serve. They are called civil servants for a reason.”
This isn’t the first time Poor Richard’s has stepped up to support the community in this way. During the 35-day federal government shutdown of 2019, Poor Richard’s provided free meals to affected employees. “We started around the 25th day again,” Skorman says. “We tallied over 300 family or individual meals.”
The restaurant also did the same for first responders and evacuees for both the Waldo and Black Forest fires in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and for evacuees of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Poor Richard’s celebrated its 50th anniversary this summer, and Skorman and Seator have long been known for their generosity and public service. They hope to see other local businesses follow suit in supporting affected workers during the current government shutdown. Skorman says they are already seeing customers contributing to cover the cost of the free meals. The last time they gave away more than $5,000 worth of free food.
“We hope it will end soon, but we are in it for the long haul,” Skorman says.
If you would like to help Poor Richard’s offset the cost of providing meals to federal employees and their families, you can pitch in any amount at the restaurant’s contribution boxes, online or by adding onto your order at any of the Poor Richard’s businesses.
Find them at poorrichardsdowntown.com.
