Food Drive & Hiring Event Hosted by HACE & Michael Foods Featured On-The-Spot Interviews

City of Elizabeth and Surrounding Union County Residents Afforded 

Opportunities for Immediate Employment

ELIZABETH – November 2, 2022 – On Wednesday, City of Elizabeth residents partook in The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth’s (HACE) and Michael Foods’ Community Food Drive. In addition to food distribution, Michael Foods conducted on-the-spot interviews for positions such as maintenance technicians, micro lab technicians, forklift operators, machine operators, and sanitation technicians. COVID-19 testing and vaccines, including boosters, were also available at the event. A total of 4 pallets of food supplies were donated by Michael Foods to the community, an amount that equates to helping feed 300 families in need.

City of Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and other guests were present at this one-of-a-kind food distribution and hiring event. “The City of Elizabeth is proud to have Michael Foods host a community food drive for our residents. An event with resources such as vaccines, booster shots, and employment opportunities is always welcome and we hope everyone takes advantage of the multiple positions available,” said Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage.

“Today we welcomed the Elizabeth community to Mravlag Manor to not only bring home generously donated supplies by Michael Foods, but also to seek out a new career path,” said William D. Jones, Executive Director of HACE. “Our residents were offered on-the-spot interviews and we endeavor to continue supplying resources and opportunities to jobseekers in the community.”

One such jobseeker and Mravlag Manor resident, Ahmid Belin, was excited to share about his experience at the event, “I was looking for a job and I’m really grateful for this event, hopefully it will match the hours I’m looking for but I’m very grateful. Sounds like a good opportunity for all of us.” An Elizabeth resident, Reimond Sanchez, works side jobs and construction to help support his two children, “I came here to find more work from other places to get more support and change my life.”

HACE often holds hiring events such as these, in large part through their Jobs Plus Program. HACE’s Jobs Plus Program is possible thanks to a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HACE was one of nine housing authorities in the nation to receive a grant for the Jobs Plus Program from HUD in 2020.

Cathy Hart, Deputy Executive Director of HACE, shared, “We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Michael Foods for this unique event. HACE is always appreciative of local community partners who can assist in bringing supplemental resources to our properties. Providing food and employment opportunities to our Mravlag and surrounding community continues to be extremely impactful.”

Michael Foods attributes company success to the people that they employ, “We are ‘First in Food’ but we are also ‘First in People.’ From our 100 years in business, we know that great people make great food, and we couldn’t do it without them. That’s why we strive to give back to the communities we serve however possible,” Kristy Larson, Vice President of Human Resources of Michael Foods explained.

For more information about Michael Foods’ employment opportunities, visit www.MichaelFoods.com/careers or call 908-282-7934.

For more information about HACE and the event, visit www.hacenj.com/event/community-food-drive-hosted-by-hace-michael-foods. For more information about HACE’s Jobs Plus Program visit www.hacenj.com/jobs-plus or contact LaChelle Thompson, Jobs Plus Program Director, at 908-965-2400 ext.153.

About the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

Since its formation in 1938, the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth has worked diligently to meet the housing needs and improve the quality of life for all the residents it serves. The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth is responsible for over 1350 units of public housing and delivers a broad range of services ranging from social, economic, educational, and redevelopment. For more information about HACE, visit www.hacenj.com.

About Michael Foods

Michael Foods is a leading manufacturer, processor, and distributor of foodservice, food ingredient, and retail offerings. While the Michael Foods name has only been around since 1987, its true origins date all the way back to 1908 on a small family farm in New England. Over the past century, Michael Foods’ capabilities have grown into innovative food offerings that reduce food safety risk, naturally extend shelf life, and simplify food preparation and processing for foodservice kitchens and food manufacturers alike. The company’s corporate responsibility is built on three pillars: environmental sustainability, community, and animal well-being. For more information about Michael Foods, visit www.michaelfoods.com.

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