Feds pitch in to help colleagues affected by hurricane

On the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund website, three words are prominently featured front and center: “Feds helping feds!” After the devastation of Hurricane Isaac left thousands of homes damaged or destroyed, the nonprofit organization is helping federal workers do just that.

FEEA -- established to assist federal employees in need -- has provided $70,000 in aid to 470 federal families affected by the storm, the organization has announced.

“In these tough economic times, FEEA understands that feds whose paychecks haven’t grown for the past two years are feeling squeezed by everyday expenses and demoralized by continued political attacks on their agencies,” the organization -- which receives most of its funding from federal employee contributions -- said in a statement. “But this is what makes it all the more important for feds to reach out and help each other in times of need.”

Grants provided to the hurricane’s victims have covered expenses from repairing homes to simply helping out with a utility bill. FEEA has assisted employees from more than a dozen federal agencies.

The organization explained that many residents of the Gulf Coast -- where the storm hit hardest -- have unusually high insurance deductibles because of their high-risk location. FEEA said this makes it even more important for federal workers to help their colleagues.

In addition to emergency assistance grants, FEEA also provides interest-free loans to federal employees who have encountered financial difficulties. 

Donations can be made online or through the Combined Federal Campaign by choosing number 11185.