Labor's Food Pantry-Union Members Care

Our thanks to Mario Cervantes, the AFL-CIO Community Service Liaison Coordinator for the following article. As he explains, Labor's Food Pantry is open to all. If you or your faith community would like to contribute to the pantry, please contact Mario directly at the number below. Thank you, David Hansen

With the economy showing signs of a glimmer of a recovery we must still remember that we have many individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet. Most of these families struggle towards the end of each month, after paying rent, utilities, just to put food on their table. And for those families that are unemployed their neighborhood food pantry is a vital resource.

That’s where Labor’s Food Pantry comes in by providing a food box to help supplement their family’s food budget, which helps them make it to the next payday or unemployment check. Labor’s Food Pantry touches the lives of 8 to 12 families each month and the help they receive is more than just nourishment for their body, it’s the sense that someone cares and is willing to help! And that someone is the union member! Ready and willing to help anyone in need!

Labor’s Pantry touches the lives of anyone that is in need of food, not just union members, but anyone that struggles to provide food for their family, anyone that might be hungry, should we allow any person or child to go hungry? A resolving NO! In community service we recognize this important principle, that the Union member is first and foremost a member of the community, and as a member of a community the union member cares about the entire community and everyone in that community!

 When I hear or read comments that unions are the problem, it makes me mad first and sad second because those that make those comments, just don’t know the real story or don’t want to know! Union members provide millions of dollars annually to United Way and other charities in the community.

And through these dollars provide the resources needed to fund programs and services utilized by anyone in need in the community, the hot meal delivered to a homebound senior or the hospice care that a family receives for their love one at the end of their life or maybe services for a disabled child or help for a woman that might be fleeing domestic violence. All of these services and many more provided by the support of union members working together with other community members to improve the life’s of everyone. The support union members give is not only financial but hundreds of hours of volunteer time, helping at local nonprofits, churches, mentoring at schools, scouting or just helping a neighbor, community service in the true sense of the word. Community Services, it might be a well kept secret but we really weren’t trying to keep it a secret, we see a need, we act on it, and we Git-ur-Done!

If you would like to help support the Labor Pantry please consider bringing a nonperishable food item to each union meeting and I’d be glad to pick-up. Pantry wish list: cereal, macaroni and cheese or any boxed meal.

 If your community service committee is looking for a group project or you would like more information on Labor’s Pantry please contact me at 267-1321 ext 4209

 Thank you sisters and brothers for all you do to support the partnership and our community.

Flyer placed in each food box Wichita-Hutchinson Labor Federation of Central Ks, AFL-CIO Labor’s Food Pantry - Emergency Assistance Food Items Donated and/or Purchased by area “Union Members” UNION YES         X Members of Organized Labor!  Helping the whole community! Labor Cares - Labor Shares

In Solidarity,

Mario Cervantes

AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison

United Way of the Plains