PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — As federal workers struggle to pay the bills during the ongoing government shutdown, one small business owner in Pinellas County is stepping in to help two families in need.
CPA Brad Kanter said he wanted to help two families struggling because of the government shutdown.
“I’d like to find out what the family’s essential needs are that are not getting met,” said Kanter.
But Kanter wasn’t sure how to go about finding those in need, so he reached out to Taking Action Reporter Jackie Callaway, who connected him with two families to adopt.
One of them is school teacher Dory Muller, who relies on his husband’s salary as a federal law enforcement agent to cover the bulk of the family's bills.
Muller says his salary won’t cover even half of what’s due.
“Foremost is being able to afford our rent,” said Muller.
Muller also worries about being able to pay the weekly daycare bill for their 18-month-old son Chris after his husband was one of 800,000 government workers who didn’t receive a paycheck Friday due to the shutdown.
ABC Action News shared Muller’s story with Kanter and two days later, his firm wired the family $500 to cover some basic expenses.
And earlier this week, Taking Action Reporter Jackie Callaway connected Kanter with a Coast Guard family also struggling with their bills.
Kanter said he plans to help both families for a few weeks if the shutdown continues.
