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Ontario International Airport Authority extended appreciation to federal workers during the government shutdown this month by throwing a BBQ on the greenbelt next to Terminal 2.

More than 200 federal employees from the Transportation Service Administration and Federal Aviation Administration enjoyed the meal.

“We just really want to show our appreciation to all federal partners,” said Deputy Executive Officer Atif Elkadi. “They can all come out and enjoy some food.”

Ontario Reign and Agua Calientes Clippers sent representatives with support while Frito Lay and Delaware North provided food and beverages.

“I shared the event with five businesses and then I got phone calls from more businesses,” said Chief Operations Officer Bruce Atlas. “It’s good to see the community coming together to show support to our federal employees here at OntarioAirport.”

All airport employees were welcome. For some employees, this may be the kind of message the allows them to work without timely compensation.

“A lot of folks live paycheck to paycheck and you never know what is going to push folks over the edge, so we thought it be important to reach out and let them know we appreciate them,”Atlas said. “It’s just our way of saying thank you.”

“It’s a thank you for being here,” said airport employee William Delgado.