Michigan grocery store offers free groceries to members of Coast Guard impacted by government shutdown

Bayside Market in Traverse City, Michigan, has offered free groceries to members of the Coast Guard who have been impacted by the partial government shutdown. The partial government shutdown is now in its 13th day.

What are the details?

Bayside Market has created an account to make sure that members of the Coast Guard and their families don't go without groceries even if their pay is being held.

According to WPBN-TV, all the service member has to do is shop, and show their identification card to receive the free groceries.

Dan Summers, who is the food and beverage consultant at the store, said that it's only right that the store protects those service members as they would do the same.

"We know they're not getting paychecks right now, but that's not gonna stop them from going out and helping me if I'm swimming out there in the freezing waters and screw something up," Summers explained. "They are there to help us, and we want to be there to help them, too."

Members of the Coast Guard will be able to shop until the fund is depleted. Once it is, service members will be eligible to receive a discount of 25 percent off their grocery orders.

What else?

WPBN reports that the Coast Guard's legal system forbids its members from accepting money or gift cards that exceed a certain amount.

Debra Ankerson, who is an agent to the armed forces for the American Red Cross, told the station that community members can still help.

"Buy them a gift card, take them groceries, offer to watch their children, give them diapers or formula," Ankerson said. "Whatever it takes. That's what we are supposed to do. They are here for us, and we need to be there for them in any way we can ..."