Local businesses, community step up to support grocery workers

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent

UFCW Local 655 workers at Schnucks and Dierbergs – some of whom have been working 14-hour days to keep up with the demand placed on grocers due to COVID 19 – received a much welcome treat last week thanks to a couple local businesses and the community.

SCHNUCKS
In St. Peters, staff at the Harvester Schnucks, 48 Plaza Ninety-Four Drive, were surprised with 10 pizzas on March 18 from Papa Johns on Jungermann Road after a customer, with ties to the community organization Bowling with Santa, called in the order. Papa Johns matched the donation and sent another 10 pizzas to a nearby business.

“Bowling with Santa is paying it forward,” the organization posted on Facebook. “We partnered up with Papa John’s on Jungermann and hired a Grub Hub driver to pick up and deliver the pizzas. Thank you to all retail workers. (You) never know what store will be next.”

Schnucks replied on Facebook, “Thank you to an anonymous customer who sent a driver to deliver 10 pizzas from Papa Johns to our associates. Kudos to our customers and Papa John’s! Neighbors helping neighbors! Such a nice gesture from both parties! Nice to know that people do care about what we are going through!”

DIERBERGS
Meanwhile, Dierbergs employees at locations throughout the St. Louis metro area received pizzas and salads on March 22 from union-friendly business Syberg’s, which has seven locations.

“Thank you for continuing to support other local businesses,” Syberg’s wrote on its Facebook page. “Today we had the pleasure of delivering lunch to the hard working Dierbergs employees throughout the St. Louis and Illinois areas. We hope you enjoyed the pizza!”

Dierbergs replied to the post, “Thank you Syberg’s for your support! We enjoyed the food very much. We are all in this together!”

SHARE THE SUPPORT
Have an example of how community members, local businesses or your unions are stepping up to help our essential workers? We would love to share the information! Contact Sheri Gassaway at sheri@labortribune.com or text her at 314-640-6047.