PHOTO VIA SPIRIT AIRLINES FACEBOOK PAGE
State Representative Anna Eskamani is hosting a community food and hygiene drive to support former Spirit Airlines employees and their families following the airline’s shutdown earlier this month.
The Dania Beach-based airline shut down after struggling with soaring jet fuel prices resulting from the war in Iran, leaving 4,853 employees in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Orange counties without work. Unemployment claims in Florida recently spiked to the highest weekly total since last June. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 7,968 initial unemployment applications were filed last week, up from 5,573 the previous week.
Rep. Eskamani’s drive will be accepting non-perishable foods, toiletries, diapers, pet food, and store gift cards. Donations can be dropped off at her legislative office at 1507 E. Concord Street [GMap] in Orlando during weekday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They were clear to say that the location is a food donation site only, not a pick-up site.
“Now more than ever, we have to come together and take care of one another,” Rep. Eskamani said. “From the cockpit and the gate, to flight attendants and pilots, hardworking neighbors have been let go and are now struggling to cover basic necessities like groceries, rent, and monthly bills while they get back on their feet.”
Rep. Eskamani’s office is also available to help former Spirit Airlines employees and contractors navigate unemployment benefits and grocery assistance.
