AMC Theatres Offer Free Popcorn For Furloughed Government Workers
Non-essential government employees have plenty of time on their hands this week, so why not catch a movie? Visit an AMC theater and the folks will even give you some free popcorn for your trouble.
Federal employees furloughed by the government shutdown this week are still fretting over whether they can expect a paycheck, but they can at least allay their worry at the movies. Deadline reports that federal workers who present a valid government or military ID at AMC concession stands will receive a free small popcorn. The purchase of a ticket is not necessary to receive the offer.
“The offer is good until common sense is restored in Washington D.C., or, more likely, until the shutdown ends or we run out of free popcorn”, AMC Theatres said in a statement.
AMC admits it’s not really a solution to the problem, but hopes that it’ll help furloughed workers in some small way.
“There are hundreds of thousands of federal workers whose lives are being impacted,” said John McDonald, EVP Operations at AMC. “While we can’t do anything to resolve gridlock in Washington D.C., we can provide a few hours of entertainment, and free popcorn, while they wait to get back to work.”
It’s not at all uncommon for the service industry to comment on the contentious political atmosphere. Last December, during the first major government shutdown debate, Starbucks coffee started writing “come together” on coffee sleeves as a message to partisan gridlocked pols in D.C.
“Rather than be bystanders, we have an opportunity—and I believe a responsibility—to use our company’s scale for good by sending a respectful and optimistic message to our elected officials to come together and reach common ground on this important issue,” said Starbucks boss Howard Schultz.
AMC Theatres offering popcorn to furloughed government employees follows the same logic. Not to get all weepy on you, but regardless of our political divisions, we should still understand the value of coming together as Americans and supporting each other when the chips are down. And boy, are the chips down.
[Image: Shutterstock]
