A group of restaurants in Louisville, New Albany and Lexington will offer free meal specials to federal employees who are working without a paycheck due to the government shutdown.

"We're all family in Kentucky," said chef Edward Lee, who owns Whiskey Dry, Milkwood and 610 Magnolia in Louisville. "The biggest thing about community is when one group suffers, the others come out and help in whatever capacity we can."

After the renowned chef and restaurateur fed lunch to all TSA officers at Louisville International Airport last week, Lee said he and others came up with a plan to serve free meals to workers.

Last week, roughly 800,000 federal workers missed their first paycheck since the partial government shutdown began on Dec. 22. The ongoing shutdown is the longest in U.S. history.

More:The shutdown in your backyard: 5 ways Kentucky has been affected

Related:Chef Edward Lee feeds Louisville TSA staff amid government shutdown

If you're a federal worker, bring your valid federal ID to the following restaurants for a special deal, and visit facebook.com/WeAreAllFamilyinKentucky to see an updated list of restaurants offering free meals to workers.

Free meals in Louisville

Porch Kitchen & Bar, 270 W. Jefferson St.: Free American breakfast platter for federal workers from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Ryan Rogers of HiCotton Hospitality is offering free meals to federal employees at all of his Louisville restaurant locations on Thursday. The restaurants are:

bar Vetti, 800 S. Fourth St.: Free small pizza and soup or salad combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feast BBQ, 909 E. Market St., Suite 100, and 10318 Taylorsville Road: Free BBQ sandwich, side and soft drink from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Royals Hot Chicken, 736 E. Market St.: Two free chicken tenders, dipping sauce, side and soft drink all day.

Lee will offer all unpaid federal employees a free meal at his 610 Magnolia restaurant in Old Louisville. Here's the deal:

610 Magnolia, 610 W. Magnolia Ave.: Free family meal with homemade lasagna, salad and soft drinks 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Please call to reserve: 502-636-0783. There will also be bag lunches available for pick up during the dinner.

And on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, 610 Magnolia will offer a free family meal featuring hot dinners, salad and soft drinks from 4 to 6 p.m. Federal employees are asked to call 502-636-0783 to reserve.

Free meals in New Albany

Joe Phillips is offering free meals for federal employees with a valid federal ID at his restaurant, Pints & Union, on Thursday and Sunday.

Pints & Union, 114 E. Market St.: Free dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Please call 812-913-4647 to reserve.

Free lunch from noon to 2 p.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please call 812-913-4647 to reserve.

Free meals in Lexington

Liberty Road Cafe, 720 Henry Clay Blvd.: Selma's Catering is offeringfederal workers and their family members a free sandwich meal Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ouita Michel is serving free lunches on Thursday and free dinners Monday to unpaid federal employees. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, here's where federal employees can enjoy a "Free Federal Super Saver Lunch Special" in the Lexington area:

On Monday, federal employees and their families can enjoy a free spaghetti and meatball dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter St., Midway.

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com or 502-582-7030.

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