CANAAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — As the partial government shutdown continues, the community is pitching in to help federal workers and their families in Wayne Coun...

CANAAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- As the partial government shutdown continues, the community is pitching in to help federal workers and their families in Wayne County.

Iron Hill at 1940 is one of several locations offering free food or items to federal employees who are going without pay during this nearly month-long shutdown.

Chelsea Gabell hugs her husband before he starts his shift at the federal prison near Waymart. The couple is living on the income from Chelsea's job while her husband and hundreds of others at U.S.P Canaan wait for the partial government shutdown to end.

"This is a brother and sisterhood. They go to work and have each other's backs. They work with each other in a locked building," Gabell said.

This wife and mother of two has started to collect items for the families of other prison workers until lawmakers resolve the shutdown.

"Right now, we're working on pet food. People have animals, diapers, wipes, essential items, canned goods, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent," Gabell said.

The federal prison near Waymart employs hundreds of people including corrections officers who work in tough conditions. Those paychecks every two weeks help provide for their families. Their last paycheck had no money in it. There's no telling when the next paycheck might be.

"Staying away from the political side of it, we're just helping out some neighbors," said Cliff Krahakovich, Gravity Restaurant and Bar.

Local restaurants and shops, including the Gravity Restaurant and Bar, are offering free pizza and certain drinks to federal workers who are going without pay.

There are free breakfast sandwiches and soup at Waymart Deli, and at Iron Hill, a busy spot for prison employees, free coffee as well as hot dogs, pizza, or breakfast sandwiches on Wednesdays.

"First prison worker I saw come in I told him. He was like, 'Wow!' Told him to spread the word when he goes into work today to let everybody else know," said Stacie Lynam at Iron Hill at 1940.

These businesses, so far, plan to offer the help to federal workers until the shutdown ends.