TSA workers in Las Vegas receive 700 meals from MGM Resorts

Hours after President Donald Trump announced a tentative end to the federal government shutdown, MGM Resorts International delivered hundreds of meals to Transportation Safety Administration agents who still aren’t sure when they’ll get their next paycheck.

Mandalay Bay chefs dropped off a total of 700 boxed lunches at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday at McCarran International Airport’s Terminal 1.

“We’re really happy to be part of something that brings some joy to the people here,” said Holly Lenhart, executive sous chef at Mandalay Bay. “The community of Las Vegas has been supporting us as a company for years, so we just wanted to give back.”

TSA agents have been working without pay for over a month since the

shutdown began Dec. 22. American Federation of Government Employees Local 1250 secretary Jovan Petkovic said agents still don’t know when their next paycheck is coming.

“For me personally, I don’t believe it until it’s in my bank,” Petkovic said Friday.

He estimated it would take until Wednesday at the earliest for TSA agents to learn what will happen next. The agreement between Trump and congressional Democrats would reopen the government for three weeks to allow continued negotiations over border security.

“We need to continue to stay focused like the shutdown is still happening because after three weeks it might happen again,” Petkovic said.

MGM spokesman Marc Jacobson said the company will continue its support.

“We all can relate to what the TSA workers are going through because we all know someone who’s been affected by the shutdown,” he said. “They’re the ones keeping our airports running and bringing our guests in.”

MGM isn’t the only organization that has stepped up to help struggling TSA workers. Local food bank Three Square, downtown pizzeria Evel Pie and Forum Shops at Caesars restaurant Smoked Burgers &Barbecue have donated food and meals since the shutdown began.

Petkovic said some TSA agents purchased food and necessities with donated gift cards, set up their own food banks at their airports and relied on support from the public.

“We all took an oath, and so did Congress,” he said. “We will continue to go to work, and we hope they’ll do the same.”

Contact Max Michor at mmichor@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0365. Follow @MaxMichor on Twitter.