January 21, 2021
Newsroom —
Laid-off workers feel warmth, solidarity at Atlantic City food distribution
Assemblyman John Armato, left, with a union volunteer and IUOE Local 68 President Edward Boylan at Operation Feed Atlantic City on January 21, 2021.
As the cold reality of pandemic-driven unemployment swirled around the Atlantic City region like winter winds, the New Jersey Labor Movement continued our ongoing commitment to uplifting our brothers and sisters in need with a food distribution on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
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“COVID is still causing unprecedented suffering,” New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said as he looked at hundreds of cars waiting for Operation Feed Atlantic City. “Hard-working people are still struggling to keep food on their tables. They need hope and warmth. We want them to know their unions always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in solidarity.”
Despite the wind-chilled January weather, dozens of union volunteers dedicated their day to load 2,000-plus kits of groceries and produce into the cars of laid-off union workers from the casinos and related industries, as well as the wider Atlantic City community. Assemblyman John Armato of the 2nd Legislative District joined the crew with energy and good cheer.
Operation Feed Atlantic City is organized and run by volunteers from the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, IATSE, IUOE, UNITE HERE and other affiliated unions, in partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Food distributions started in the spring of 2020 and continued on a regular basis through Thanksgiving and Christmas as coronavirus restrictions crippled the resort area.
“We are looking toward a brighter future,” President Wowkanech said, “but until things get back to normal, we will continue to sponsor these food distributions for our brothers and sisters.”
Tax-deductible donations are welcome. Please make checks payable to our 501(c)(3) account.
New Jersey State AFL-CIO Community Services Agency Inc.
106 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
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