Laborers 110 supports Arnold Food Pantry with another $2,500, bringing 2019 donations to $7,688 and 2.5 tons of food

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Union has donated more than $34,000 to the organization since 2012

FEEDING THE HUNGRY: Laborers’ Local 110 last December presented a $2,500 check to the Arnold Food Pantry to support its ongoing efforts. Accepting a previous $5,188 donation made last October were Food Pantry Executive Director Ed Fitzhenry (second from left) and Board President Phil Amato (third to left). Presenting the October donation were Business Manager Don Willey (left) and Business Agent Rob Reed (right). Local 110 donated a total of $7,688 in 2019 to help feed families in need. – Labor Tribune photo

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent

Arnold, MO – Laborers Local 110 has always been known for its support of the Arnold Food Pantry. But this year, the union surpassed previous years of generosity by donating $7,688 in cash and two- and a-half tons of canned goods and nonperishable food items.

Late last year, Local 110 Business Agent Rob Reed presented the pantry with a $2,500 check at the organization’s annual Nutcracker Christmas Ballet fundraiser at Rickman Auditorium.

That’s in addition to the $5,188 check the union gave to the pantry at organization’s Taste of Arnold fundraiser held in October at the Arnold VFW Hall and the two-and a half tons of food Local 110 collected at its annual picnic held at Grant’s Farm.

At the picnic, members and their families donated canned goods and made cash contributions to the pantry totaling $2,594. Local 110 matched its members’ donations for a grand total of $5,188.

By comparison, the union donated $6,766 and nearly two tons of nonperishable food items in 2018.

‘AMAZING ORGANIZATION’
Local 110 Business Manager Don Willey said that the relationship between the food pantry and the Laborers goes back a long way. He said during the recession when Laborers were out of work, the pantry helped feed its members in Jefferson County.

“The food pantry is an amazing organization,” Willey said. “This is our way to give back to the community and make it a great place to live.”

A LONG HISTORY OF UNIONS HELPING
In 2012, local Labor unions, including Local 110, and their contractors helped renovate the food pantry’s building at 2024 Key West Dr. in Arnold, donating some $280,000 in cash, labor and materials.

Since then, Local 110 has provided ongoing support, including more than $34,000 in cash donations, four- and a-half tons of food and helping the pantry with asphalt paving work and other modifications.

The Arnold Food Pantry, which serves over 300 families a year, is the largest non-denominational food distribution center in the St. Louis region that does not receive city, state or federal government funding.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the pantry or to donate, call 636-287-3663 or visit wefeedthehungry.org.

 

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