As the partial federal government shutdown grinds on, Treasure Coast businesses and agencies are helping workers impacted by the closure.

The gestures of good will include free food and discounts at restaurants in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

“We’re frustrated like everyone else is with this situation and we just appreciate the people that serve our country and our town,” said Abigail Rogan, owner of Gilbert’s Coffee Bar in Stuart. “It was important to us to be able to reach out and just give those people … a little place of refuge to go and stop and relax by the water and have a drink on us.”

More: Many Treasure Coast federal offices open despite shutdown; refuges strictly for the birds

Rogan’s business is offering a free coffee or tea for government workers. Rogan said the offer will continue until the shutdown is over.

David Vaina, senior director of strategic initiatives for the Treasure Coast Food Bank, said his agency determined there are more than 1,000 government workers on the Treasure Coast and in Okeechobee County.

He said they reached out to all federal agencies to let them know the food bank is available.

“We’re starting to hear from folks, that they do need assistance, that their families need assistance,” Vaina said.

He said on Monday more than 100 people volunteered to sort food, with another sorting and packing event scheduled Feb. 2.

More: Treasure Coast Food Bank helping federal workers affected by government shutdown

Vaina said they are giving away food and other items, such as diapers, pet food and cleaning supplies.

He said a mobile food pantry is scheduled Saturday in Indian River County at Vero Christian Church in the 3200 block of 9th Street Southwest. The event, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., is open to government workers and the public. Vaina encouraged people to arrive earlier rather than later.

Erik Watson, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce, said there are about 120 active duty and reservists at the station on Seaway Drive.

“The community has been incredibly generous and appreciative of the crew, the work that they’re doing and the situation that they’re going through,” Watson said. “It’s heartwarming for us.”

Watson said they missed a paycheck on Jan. 15, but remain on duty as essential personnel. They continue patrolling and responding to search-and-rescue duties.

“As military members we have some sacrifices already, and we sign on for that,” Watson said. “This is an added sacrifice that a lot of us didn’t plan for or even if we did it’s getting to a point where it is a stressor financially at the home.”

He said some restaurants have brought food to the station for crews. He said there is a nationwide Chief Petty Officer Association that is taking donations.

“We’re blessed to live in a community that appreciates the Coast Guard,” Watson said. “Donations are filtering through the Chief Petty Officer Association and getting out to the crews.”

More: Treasure Coast Food Bank cooking up a new future with commercial plant

Archie’s Seabreeze in Fort Pierce, which already offers a 15 percent discount for military members and first responders, has reached out to the Coast Guard.

The Fort Pierce landmark eatery is offering what its Facebook page calls a "deferred payment plan" for Coast Guard members, allowing members to pay later when they get their back paychecks.

“They’re critical to our safety,” general manager Suzanne Quitt said. “This is a small gesture to let them know how much we appreciate them.”

The shutdown has caused the absence of employees from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife office in downtown Vero Beach from eateries within a block or two.

Those business owners would like those workers, some who they consider friends, to come back. Six downtown restaurants are offering either free or discounted meals or drinks to Fish and Wildlife employees through Friday.

“They’re friends of ours,” said Randy Hagood, co-owner of Tea and Chi, where the federal employees can get a free cup of tea. “They would come over and we’d get to know each other. People get coffee to go, but they sit down and sip tea.”

The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce said the Barefoot Café, the Italian Kitchen, Off the Rail Downtown, Sean Ryan Pub and Rio Coco Beans are also participating.

More: The government shutdown hits close to home

Shindig Irish Restaurant & Pub in Port St. Lucie on Facebook reports that all federal employees are invited to come in on Thursday for a “burger on us.”

“Just bring your id,” the post states.

So Flo Nutrition in Port St. Lucie is offering free dinner for furloughed federal employees and their families at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at 3261 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd. Employees must present their employment ID. RSVP at soflonutritionpsl@gmail.com. For more information, call 772-342-2129.

Lamaur Stancil of Florida Today contributed to this report.