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SALT LAKE CITY – When money is tight, families may not get out as much to have fun.
That’s why several businesses across the state of Utah have offered federal employees and their families the chance to have that fun without paying.
Get Air
Get Air trampoline parks all across the state are offering families free entry on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Hogle Zoo
After that, you can go to Hogle Zoo, where federal workers and their families can come in for free, on any day, to see the animals for as long as the shutdown lasts.
“It doesn’t necessarily help put food on the table, but it does give families the chance to actually go and do something fun,” said zoo spokeswoman Erica Hansen.
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Federal workers can also bring their families and children to the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum at The Gateway mall in downtown Salt Lake City. Just like Hogle Zoo, federal workers and their families can get in for free.
“Federal workers contribute so much to our community and to the nation, so we wanted to thank them,” said Laurie Hopkins, executive director of the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum. “In addition, we wanted to help ease their burden. It’s a difficult time for them.”
X365 Fitness
Once the kids are taken care of, maybe some of those federal workers will want to blow off some steam about the whole shutdown. That’s why X365 Fitness in Salt Lake is offering free workouts.
“I feel bad,” said Nick Olsen, who is the owner of the gym. “I saw one story about a single dad who couldn’t pay his bills and they’re going to get evicted from their apartment. It’s so sad. So, for me, what can I do? This is something I can do: open my gym to people who can come in and get some aggression out.”
RC Willey
RC Willey, a furniture company based in Salt Lake, is helping with the bills.
Federal workers who bought from them don’t have to worry about paying their February bill. March, too, if the shutdown goes that long. It’ll just be tacked on to the end without penalty.
“We want to help the community. I mean, these people are hurting, through no fault of their own. We wanted to do our part in being able to get them through this tough time,” said Jeff Child, president of RC Willey.
Best Friends Animal Society
Lots of families also have pets, and if money is tight to feed your own family, Best Friends Animal Society wants to help feed your pets for free.
“So that on top of everything else they’re going through, they don’t have to think about giving up a pet because they don’t have a bag of dog food or cat food,” said Temma Martin, the spokeswoman for Best Friends in Salt Lake City.
Workers just ask those who need the pet food to fill out a form at utah.bestfriends.org so a staff member will be in the building to help.
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