Billy Graham Assoc. Providing Free Meals to Federal Workers During Shutdown at 5 Sites

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse started serving free lunches to federal employees affected by the government shutdown at five North Carolina locations today. Meals will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day until the shutdown ends.

All federal employees who haven't received paychecks because of the shutdown can pick up meals at the sites. Those eligible include workers in judicial and law enforcement roles, regulatory and civil services, and military personnel, including National Guard and National Reserve members. A valid government ID is required.

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of both organizations, announced the program on Facebook on Oct. 31. "I'm not a politician, but if I were, I would get the government reopened immediately," Franklin Graham said, per WCNC. "But until this is taken care of, we want to provide lunch every day — seven days a week — to those workers who have been impacted."

Graham said the organizations want affected workers to feel supported during the shutdown. "We want them to know they are valued, that God loves them, and that we care," he said in the Billy Graham.org website. "Don't let anyone ever tell you there's no such thing as a free lunch — because there is!"

Per the Samaritan's Purse website, he called on other organizations to join the effort. "I hope thousands of churches with kitchens will do the same thing. While the politicians argue back and forth, let's do something."

The program represents a partnership between the two nonprofits to help those impacted by the government closure. Both organizations share leadership and have worked together on relief efforts in the past.

Five locations across North Carolina are taking part in the lunch program. The sites span from the mountains to the Piedmont region.

The Billy Graham Library parking lot at 4330 Westmont Drive in Charlotte serves as one location. The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove at 1 Porters Cove Road in Asheville offers meals at a second site.

Three Samaritan's Purse facilities round out the list. Workers can get lunch at 801 Bamboo Road in Boone, 401 Elkin Highway in North Wilkesboro, and 1 Samaritan Lane in Greensboro.

The lunch service runs seven days a week. Distribution will continue each day during the same three-hour window until the government reopens.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association asked supporters to pray for those affected by the shutdown. The organization said it hopes workers will feel valued and encouraged during this time.