Free meals, food pantry hours offered for Coast Guard families

By Rob Morris on January 14, 2019

Some local churches and businesses are stepping up to help out local Coast Guard families going unpaid due to the federal government shutdown.

Though the Coast Guard is a military branch, the agency falls under the Department of Homeland Security, which is not receiving funding as the funding lapse continues. More than 44,000 active-duty members are not receiving pay this week.

Max’s Pizza Company in Kitty Hawk is offering Coast Guard families one free cheese pizza per week “as long as this madness continues,” the restaurant said in a Facebook post.

“We hope at least one night a week they don’t have to worry about dinner.”

Max’s Pizza Company is at 3723 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk. See maxspizzaobx.com&raquo

Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church is offering free weekly community meals every Wednesday to Coast Guard, National Park Service and federal workers and their families.

The community meals begin at 5:45 p.m.

“Thank you for the work you do!” the church said in a Facebook post. “Let us come alongside of you at this time of government shut down. Hope to see you then!”

Kitty Hawk UMC is at 803 W. Kitty Hawk Road. See kittyhawkumc.org »

The Source Church food pantry is open to Coast Guard families and anyone affected by the shutdown, no prior authorization required.

The pantry will be open today (Monday, Jan. 14) from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We thank you for your service and would be honored to help you during this difficult time,” the church said on Facebook.

The pantry is on Budleigh Street in Manteo just past and across the street from town hall.