Labor Council, Kroger sponsor annual food drive

For 13 years, area labor unions and Kroger have worked together to fill the shelves at food pantries throughout Southern Illinois.

Eighteen area food pantries were slated to receive $16,500 worth of food Saturday, Dec. 12, as the result of fundraising efforts by Southern Illinois union members.

Area union members raised $11,000 this holiday season to purchase food to help stock food pantries located in several counties throughout Southern Illinois.

In addition to their efforts, Kroger added 50 cents for every dollar raised by the union, increasing the total of $16,500 for the purchase of food.

“I know that our donation will only be a small portion of what is really needed during the holiday season,” said Paul Noble, president of the Southern Illinois Central Labor Council, “but our sincerest hope is that we can make Christmas brighter for many families.”

“Our participation in the food drive is one way to support the communities that support us,” said Jim Clark, store manager at the Marion Kroger store. “During our thirteen-year association with the Labor Council, the food drive has become one of the largest in the area.”

Saturday morning, Dec. 12, Kroger transported the food to the parking lot at the Operating Engineer’s Union Hall in Marion. Volunteers loaded trucks for distribution to designated food pantries.

Food pantries in the following counties will receive the donated food: Union, Williamson, Jackson, Franklin, Perry, Edwards, White, Hamilton, Gallatin, Saline, Alexander, Massac, Randolph, Hardin, Johnson and Jefferson.

Participating unions include AFSCME Locals 31, 1175, 878 and 1048; Bricklayers; Carpenters District Council and Locals 638 and 636; Ironworkers Local 782; IBEW Local 702; Laborers Local 773; Plumbers Local 160; UFCW Local 881; Teamsters Local 347; Operators Locals 318 and 520; Sheetmetal Workers; Machinists; Illinois AFL-CIO; and Egyptian Building Trades Council.


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