Laborers’ Local 110 takes part in Flag Day ceremony at Arnold Food Pantry

Union installed flag pole and base, contractor donated tools, supplies

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

Arnold, MO – Laborers’ Local 110 participated in a flag dedication ceremony held recently at the Arnold Food Pantry and Thrift Store.

About 50 people attended the June 14 event, which was held on Flag Day. Local 110 installed the flag pole and base for the pantry, and members of the Marine Corps League Jeffco Detachment 707 raised the flag for the first time. Local 110 Vice President Ronny Griffin, Business Agent Rob Reed and retiree Conrad Oxmann attended the event on behalf of the Laborers.

Reed and Local 110 Business Agent Jose Gomez dug the hole for the new pole and poured the concrete, and Spencer Contracting, a Local 110 contractor, donated supplies and tools. The Marine Corp donated the flag, pole and base and has pledged to provide perpetual flags to the pantry.

“We are extremely grateful for all the help,” said Pam Rayborn, thrift store manager. “The Thrift Store is providing all veterans and active duty personnel a 50 percent discount. All they have to do is show their military ID card.”

This isn’t the first time labor unions have helped the organization. The food pantry moved to its new location at 2024 Key West Dr. in Arnold in 2012. Local labor unions, including Local 110 and its contractors, helped renovate the building to the tune of $280,000 in cash, labor and materials.

Since then, Local 110 has provided ongoing support, including $20,000 in cash donations and the coordination of all of the pantry’s asphalt paving work.

ABOUT THE PANTRY

The Arnold Food Pantry is the largest non-denominational food distribution center in the St. Louis region that does not receive city, state or federal government funding. The pantry, which feeds about 320 families a week, serves residents in Arnold and portions of Imperial and Fenton. For more information, call 636-287-3663 or visit wefeedthehungry.org.