United Steelworkers Local are making their annual donation to food banks across the region, but the buck doesn’t stop there. Through their contribution to the Humanity Fund, union locals help those in need where ever there is a gap.
"For more than 25 years, the Humanity Fund has supported international development projects providing emergency humanitarian aid to disasters around the world,” said Jason Lacko, the president of the Northwestern Ontario Steelworkers Area Council.
United Steelworkers members contribute to the Humanity Fund through their collective agreements and have recently donated $2,000 to the Shelter House in Thunder Bay for essential services and programming.
The union's Humanity Fund provides large sums of money to food bank across Canada.
Lacko said the fund has contributed to 71 food banks in Canadian communities where USW members work and live.
Specifically, USW Local 665 has made donations to North Shore Harvest Cupboard in Terrace Bay. The Lac des Iles Mine workers donated to area food banks on top of the Humanity Fund donation.
“I think we gave a total of $26,000,” said Lacko.
Next week, the USW with be going through an appeal process to see where else the Humanity Fund to fill a need.
Last year, the USW donated to the Regional Food Distribution Association, Christmas Cheer boards, and the Salvation Army along with Shelter House and regional food banks.
“Our members are pretty strong and we get out there. Especially this time of year with everything that is going on with the economy and the way the cost of living is today. It’s getting hard and hard to cope,” said Lacko.
Lacko acknowledges that the union is doing their part to ensure that its members’ contributions are being used to serve the less fortunate people across the country, he understands that poverty reduction isn’t only in the hands of the worker.
“At our end, we try to do the best we can at serving those less fortunate. I think it’s time for the government to do more with regard to helping everybody,” said Lacko.
“I think it time that the government does better. Has a better track record with helping those less fortunate.”
Lacko believes that all levels of government need to urgently address poverty reduction or public reliance on food banks will only get worse.
“At the end of the day, it’s everyone’s responsibility to get out there and do what they can. Empty your pockets as best as you can to help others. We’ll get through another winter, and hopefully, things change as we go forward,” said Lacko.
