TSA officers and staff in Austin decided the time was right for some quid pro quo and to show a little love to those who so unselfishly supported them with food just 14 months earlier. Once she got permission, Supervisory TSA Officer Frankie Maldonado led the first effort by asking for donations during shift briefs.
“There was a great response from our folks,” said Maldonado. “Within a week, pizzas were delivered to our airline partners who, not so long ago, came to our aid.”
TSA Stakeholder Relations Manager Ignacio “Nacho” Reyes led the effort to deliver pizza donations to JetBlue, American Airlines, and United Airlines. JetBlue Station Manager Jason Zabransky said, “I just wanted to send another THANK YOU to you and your team for delivering us pizza for lunch today. This airport really is a close-knit community, and the TSA team has been so supportive to us during busy days and ... the not so busy days. Our entire team really appreciates your generosity!”
During the final TSA gives back effort, officers and staff delivered workforce and staff food donations to the Central Texas Food Bank. The Austin TSA staff, operations, and employee morale group members energized and gathered donations to help restock the food bank. Food Bank Director of Operations Jeff Gonzales thanked the group for the donations, despite the rain and inclement weather that day.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am proud to be a part of the best workforce in TSA,” said TSA Federal Security Director Mike Scott. “We recognized there was an opportunity to give back to those who helped us in the past, help raise their morale in these trying times, and let them know we did not forget them. We have big missions, big hearts in Austin, Texas.”
By Wayne Carey, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs