On Oct. 7, more than 30 members and volunteers from Chicagoland Mechanics Union Local 701 recently gave back to the community by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a worldwide charity organization in Aurora, Ill. This effort brought together Local 701 Business Representatives, staff, members, and families, as part of the Local 701 annual IAM HELPS Program.
Through volunteering at FMSC, members get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in a one-of-a-kind experience. Members hand-packed rice, soy, dry vegetables, and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, and shipped to partners around the world.
“Local 701 members helped package 171 boxes, each containing 36 bags of nutritional food, which will provide over 101 children a daily meal for a year, at over 36,000 total meals packaged,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steven Galloway. “My thanks to Local 701 and all the members who volunteered their time to make this event possible and as successful as it was.”
“The impact that Feed My Starving Children has on families around the world is life-changing for the ones who receive these donations,” said IAM Local 701 Directing Business Representative Mark Grasseschi. “No person should be left hungry, and this organization does an inspirational job to combat this issue. We’re proud to help support their efforts.”
The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to residents in need. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.