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Park Hill Pizzeria Among Many Helping Furloughed Federal Employees

DENVER (CBS4) - Oblio's is a little pizzeria on a little corner in Park Hill that's been a part of the community for a more than 20 years.

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"My husband and I started this restaurant back in 1997, and we had it for eight years. We sold it to someone who lived in Park Hill, and he sold it back to us two years ago," said Dawn McKay.

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Dawn and Morgan McKay (credit: CBS)

Dawn and her co-owner and daughter, Morgan McKay, are proud to be Park Hill's community pizza place. That's why they decided to give back.

They've been watching the news about the government shutdown and after meeting a couple furloughed federal workers in their restaurant, they felt like they had to do something.

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"It's just breaking my heart. We just all need to pitch in and help," Dawn said.

They are one of many businesses offering help to furloughed workers. Many restaurants like Lucha Cantina and Fazoli's are offering free meals, and some Colorado banks and credit unions are offering low or no interest loans.

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At Oblio's it goes beyond just giving away a hot meal. They are holding a fundraiser Jan. 14 and 16. Twenty percent of their proceeds those nights will go toward helping federal employees in need.

"It's all about teaming together and helping each other out," Morgan said.

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They know they might lose money on this deal, but they aren't worried about that because they're not just another pizza place. They are a part of the community.

"We're going to keep doing it until the government shutdown ends," said Morgan.

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To claim a free meal for your whole family, just present your government employee I.D.

If you can't make it to the fundraisers, but still want to help out you can donate to the Support Seven Furloughed Families GoFundMe page.

Here is a partial list of businesses helping out furloughed federal employees:

  • Lucha Cantina restaurant in Littleton
  • Wes Love with Boots 66 is working to provide free sandwiches, snacks and drinks to TSA workers at Denver International Airport Saturday and Sunday.
  • Ent Credit Union: 90-day 0 percent interest single-pay loan up to their monthly payroll deposit with Ent (maximum loan amount $7,500)
  • Elevations Credit Union: Interest-free personal loans equal to the member's monthly net pay
  • Credit Union of Denver: Providing payment deferrals, specific loans with first 30 days of 0 percent interest
  • Sunwest Educational Credit Union: Allowing payment deferrals, specific loans with first 30 days of 0 percent interest
  • Metrum Community Credit Union: 0 percent six-month loan offered to those affected
  • Fazoli's:  Jan. 7-13, Fazoli's invites all furloughed federal government employees with a valid ID to come in for FREE Pizza Baked Spaghetti* with the purchase of a drink.
  • Denver B-Cycle: Free for federal workers during the government shutdown
  • AT&T/DirectTV:  For customers affected by the shutdown, you are eligible for flexible payment options to keep your service running (phone, TV, and internet)
  • Crafty Fox Taphouse and Pizzeria: Show federal ID, get free pepperoni pizza and drink, with a limit of one meal per employee, Jan. 10 to the end of the day Wednesday, Jan. 16. 3901 Fox St, Denver
  • Punch Bowl Social, S. Broadway & Stapleton: offering a 25 percent discount on all food, beverages and games to any federal government employee starting Jan. 11 and running until the shutdown is over.
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