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Updated: Jan. 21, 11:14 a.m. | Posted: Jan. 17, 1:15 p.m.

As the partial federal government shutdown continues to drag on with no end in sight, plenty of local businesses are stepping up to ease the pain for federal employees who aren't getting paid or have been furloughed. 

Here's a list of places offering free food, admission or discounts through Minnesota. 

Let us count the ways

Walz vows to keep programs afloat during federal shutdown

How is the shutdown affecting your life, work?

Afro Deli, with locations at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul, is 

 to federal government employees working without pay or laid off during the shutdown. 

Workers with federal government IDs can get one free entree between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day until the shutdown ends. 

 to furloughed workers, their partner and their children. A select menu will be available all day. 

Impacted workers are asked to present a valid government ID or badge. 

The Minneapolis eatery, which describes itself as marrying "soul-inspired comfort food of the American South (and surrounding influences) with forward thinking, chef driven contemporary cuisine," is giving affected government workers 

Impacted workers should show staff a badge or ID card. 

Government employees must show their IDs. 

 is available on all food, beverages and games for impacted employees. 

Federal employees must present their government ID cards to their server prior to ordering at this St. Louis Park spot.  

Impacted employees can see one free film per day. The free ticket is available only to the federal employee — who must show a federal ID at the box office — and is valid for new or current releases. The offer cannot be used for advance screenings or movie parties. 

The Minnesota Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul is offering 

free admission to furloughed employees and their families.

 Government workers will need to show their government IDs at the box office when they arrive. 

Furloughed employees can get two free tickets to attend a classical concert of their choice through June. 

Tickets must be reserved before Feb. 28 using the promo code FEDERAL (call 612-371-5656 or reserve 

). A government-issued ID is required when picking up tickets at the box office. 

This downtown St. Paul museum is offering furloughed federal employees and three guests 

 for both the exhibit galleries and the Omnitheater. 

Visitors must show a valid government ID at the box office in order to get the free admission.

Furloughed employees and up to three immediate family members can get 

Here's more of the fine print: Available Tuesdays through Thursdays only until Jan. 31. A valid government ID is required. And remember to bring socks, which are required on the trampolines! 


 
The Walker is offering furloughed federal employees 

 The offer is good for the duration of the shutdown. 

Affected employees should bring a government ID to the Walker box office.

Nancy Yang

Author

There's no end in sight to the government shutdown -- now the longest in U.S. history -- but these local businesses are stepping up to provide some relief for impacted workers.

Courtesy of James Norton | Heavy Table

A Minnesota Orchestra Musician rehearses. 

Where to find free food, discounts if you've been furloughed

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