POSTVILLE - Another day passed with Agriprocessors' assets frozen in bankruptcy, making it impossible for it to pay its hundreds of employees.

Since workers first failed to receive paychecks a week ago, Agriprocessors managers have told workers to check back with them every couple days.

Workers said Thursday was the latest payday that failed to materialize.

Their empty wallets, they said, create more anxiety with each passing day.

"I left a good job to come here to just get smacked in the face," said Nancy Axe, 39, who arrived in Postville this summer from Indiana.

In the meantime, some have begun to voice their frustration more aggressively.

Thursday morning a worker stopped by the community radio station to warn Jeff Abbas, the station's general manager, of some disgruntled workers who talked of robbing local stores, and Sholom Rubashkin, the former Agriprocessors CEO who remains in jail after his arrest last week.

The threat comes on the heels of about two dozen workers who arrived at the station late Wednesday shouting for their paychecks, Abbas said.

Last Friday the 200 workers remaining at the plant were not paid. The plant shut down last weekend and has not re-opened.

A hand-made sign at the plant on Thursday said it will remain closed through Saturday. Several workers said they were told the plant could re-open on Sunday.

Several religious organizations have descended on the town in the past week to aid in relief efforts for workers who find themselves in an impossible situation:

Most cannot leave town and find another job for a lack of money and transportation, yet they are unable to apply for unemployment because they have not been laid off by Agriprocessors.

Because the workers live paycheck to paycheck, the loss of income has left them with little money for utilities, rent and food. A few have been forced from their rental units and moved in with as many as 10 other people, said Maryn Olson, a volunteer at St. Bridget's Catholic Church.

"It's a desperate need because it's a disastrous situation," said Mary Klauke, rural community development coordinator for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. "People are without money. The only food they have is what we get them."

Workers say they desperately want new jobs, but none are available in town. Some of those with vehicles have sought employment 30 miles away at the outdoors store Cabelas, in Prairie du Chien, Wis.

But many who remain say they hope Agriprocessors will reopen, and do not want to leave until they receive the money owed to them.

"I want to wait to see what happens at the work site," said Al Whitfield, 28, who arrived two months ago from Minneapolis.

Those who remain make daily stops at the radio station, where Abbas has led an effort to set up a makeshift food and clothing shelf.

Volunteers will meet with city officials tomorrow afternoon. Both parties said they hope to centralize relief operations, which will likely include an overnight shelter.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.