Houston restaurant serves federal workers for free as government shutdown continues

A Small Business Owner With a Big Mission

At Lasagna House in Spring, the smell of fresh pasta fills the kitchen, but this week, the focus is on something else — giving back. As the government shutdown continues, restaurant owner Matt Vernon says no federal worker in his community should go hungry.

He’s offering free meals through an effort called Furlough Friday, inviting any federal employee who shows an ID to come in for a pasta bowl or lasagna, salad, bread, and iced tea — no cost, no questions.

“Everybody that works hard deserves a good meal,” Vernon said. “Federal workers are out there every single day doing their part, and right now they’re not getting paid for it. So we want to say thank you, tell them we see them, and take care of them.”

Rep. Al Green: No vote scheduled next