Know someone experiencing a furloughed paycheck due to the government shutdown? Businesses here in the Upstate and nationally are reaching out to support Government employees that may need assistance during the shutdown. KAG Contributor, Melanie Coblentz, compiled this list of programs and deals in place to help out.
Please call to confirm before heading out. These deals and services are subject to change. We’ll update and add new offerings as they are announced.

Businesses Offering Assistance For Government Employees with Furloughed Paychecks
Hall of Fame Sports Grill
Hall of Fame Sports Grill is offering free meals to government employees with proof of layoff.
Located at 531 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville SC 29609
864.609.4181
Tipsy Taco
Tipsy Taco is offering free tacos and beer during the shutdown with a valid ID.
All three locations:
215 Pelham Road #206, Greenville SC 29615 -864.603.1144
15 Conestee Avenue, Greenville SC 29605- 864.558.0775
702 Fairview Roadd, Simpsonville SC 29680- 864.228.7228
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Free mom’s ricotta meatballs and spaghetti meal, between the hours of 11-4 and with valid ID
105 East Beacon Drive
Greenville SC 29615
864.675.6676
The Vintage Barbers
The Vintage Barber is offering free haircuts to any federal employee with a valid ID, Tuesday through Thursdays.
7 West Washington Street
Greenville, SC 29601
864.552.1462
Sky Zone
At participating Sky Zone parks, federal government employees furloughed or currently without pay and up to three immediate family members can get 60 minutes of free play every Tuesday through Thursday in January. Sky Zone socks are required but you can reuse SkySocks from previous visits. Valid government ID required.
2465 Laurens Road,
Greenville, SC 29607
864.558.2400
Riverbanks Zoo
Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia is offering free admission to furloughed federal employees and their immediate families for the duration of the shutdown. To receive complimentary admission, federal employees must show a valid federal ID at any park admissions gate.
Riverbanks Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC 29210
803.779.8717
YMCA
The YMCA is extending waived membership dues and childcare fees to federal employees with a valid ID.
Harvest Hope mobile food pantry
A mobile food pantry is being set up by Harvest of Hope, at Greenville/Spartanburg Airport for Federal employees that work at the airport.
Bill Deferrals and Payment Plans
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Chase Bank, Capital One, American Express, Bank of America, Navy Federal, Wells Fargo and Discover are all offering assistance with bill deferral and payment options. Government employees need to contact them to talk about the options available.
Airbnb
Airbnb’s program, “A Night on Us,” gives an extra $110 to federal workers who host an Airbnb Experience or Airbnb renter in their home for three nights. This offer runs through March 18th
PayPal
PayPal is offering an interest-free cash advance up to $500, for any existing or new PayPal Credit customers who are federal employees and are struggling to make ends meet.
Please make sure to call in advance to confirm offers are still valid, before heading out.
Rosetta Stone
Language learning system company, Rosetta Stone is offering furloughed government workers a 3-mo gift to the their app by emailing your name and validation info to [email protected].
Did we miss something? If you know of another business offering assistance for government employees during the shutdown, please let us know!