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Local businesses and organizations pledge help to unpaid federal workers

"We can at least help some of our neighbors in the community that have been supporting our family business for nearly 50 years," one business owner said.

ST PAUL, Minn. — Few things are as Minnesota Nice as helping a neighbor in need.

Some of those neighbors are federal employees going without paychecks during the shutdown.

A number of local businesses and organizations are trying to ease the burden for those Minnesotans who aren't being paid but still have everyday needs. 

Families of up to four people are offered free admission to the Science Museum of Minnesota. The free tickets include access to a combination of the exhibits and the Omnitheater. 

RELATED: Shutdown day 25: Trump declares he'll 'never back down'

"We hope that our small gesture will provide them a little relief in the midst of the stress of being furloughed for an extended period of time," Alison Rempel Brown, president and CEO of the museum, said. "We hope they'll take a break from the worry and spend a day at the Science Museum making memories." 

Visitors to the museum must show a valid government ID to claim the tickets. 

Until the partial government shut down ends, a local auto shop is pledging to repair the cars of U.S. government employees who have temporarily lost their incomes.

Signal Garage Auto Sales in Saint Paul and West Saint Paul is offering up to $250 of free labor for those employees. 

The owners say they were inspired by the growing number of offers by other companies, to help out their community too. But, they are not trying to start a political discussion. 

RELATED: Here's what will and won't close during the government shutdown

"Today [Jan. 14] marks the 24th day of the government shut down that deprives thousands of American working people from earning a paycheck," co-owner Rami Derhy said. "We can at least help some of our neighbors in the community that have been supporting our family business for nearly 50 years by giving something back." 

Signal Garage Auto Care is no stranger to community service. 

"My grandfather started our family auto repair business in this neighborhood in the early 1920s," co-owner Heidi Wessel Derhy said. "We've always been involved in many community projects, such as free car care clinics for women, youth team sponsorship, free vehicle repairs for the local food shelf, Free Brakes for Food and more."

The company stresses that they just want to help out however they can.

"Being around as long as we have, we've been successful because of the help of this community, and we just felt, even if it's going to cost us a lot of money right now, it's worth it." manager Ethan Derhy said. 

Any government worker with a government ID who has not received a paycheck during the shutdown can go to any of the three Signal Garage Auto Care locations to get their free repairs. 

After seeing a KARE 11 story on Signal Garage Auto Care's promise, Mallard's Restaurant's manager David Suddath posted on Facebook saying he was inspired to join in. 

Anyone who knows a federal employee who hasn't been being paid during the shutdown is encouraged to reach out to the restaurant. The Facebook post indicates that whoever qualifies will be given a free dinner. 

Banks and local credit unions are coming to unpaid workers aid, too. 

According to our partner Minnesota Public Radio News, Hiway Federal Credit Union and Affinity Plus Credit Union have both said they will be lenient with payments for federal employees who aren't being paid. 

Both credit unions offer "skip-a-payment" programs and low-payment, low-interest loans. The unions have been working with their customers who are affected by the shutdown to extend those services to them. 

"Some of the things that we have worked through with some of our members are a skip-a-pay program, low-interest, shorter-term loans," said Affinity's Senior Vice President Kristina Wright. 

Nationwide banks  are also helping unpaid federal employees in Minnesota. 

Wells Fargo is working with individuals to determine whether or not they can be offered payment assistance, according to our partner Minnesota Public Radio News. 

U.S. Bank is offering loans with low rates to some of their customers that qualify. And Pawn America is offering their qualifying customers loans with no cost for 30 days, according to MPR News.

And for those who need to chill and get their minds off the shutdown, the Minnesota Orchestra is inviting furloughed federal employees to attend a concert for free. Shows included are Classical, Symphony in 60 and Inside the Classics Concerts from now through June 2019. 

“Minnesota Orchestra horn player Herb Winslow suggested this idea, and we all loved it,” said Minnesota Orchestra President and CEO Michelle Miller Burns. “Music has the power to ease burdens a little bit, and we invite federal employees to join us for an upcoming Orchestra concert.”  

Tickets must be reserved online before February 28, 2019, at the Minnesota Orchestra website. Use the promo code FEDERAL. A government-issued ID is required when picking up tickets at the box office. 

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