Orlando arena workers turn to non-profit for help during lockout

You can make the economic case that the money not spent in Orlando on Magic games starting this week will still find it’s way into the economy. No doubt that is right on a macro level. Basketball tickets are discretionary income and if you’re not spending the money on tickets your spending it on movies or dinners or a trip to DisneyWorld.

But just as equally certain, some arena workers are feeling the pinch.

There are about 1,000 game night workers at the Amway Center and some have reached out to a local food center for help, reports the Orlando Sentinel (via Eye on Basketball).

(Community Food & Outreach Center director, pastor Scott) George estimated that between 40 and 75 game-night workers have used the Community Food & Outreach Center’s services over the last few weeks. He said he’s unsure of the exact number because some game-night workers are afraid that if they say something, they might not be able to go back to their jobs when the lockout ends.

It makes a nice story to show how the lockout where millionaires and billionaires argue hurts the people who can least afford the pain. And there is some truth to it.

Like the lockout itself, the story is more complex than that. But certainly, there are people in that food store hurting, and plenty who are not who still feel the pain of no NBA basketball.

What’s most important is that there are good programs like the Community Food & Outreach Center who can help those people out.