Paper mill employees come through for the food pantry

[Omaha Steve]

http://newsofthenorth.net/article.cfm?articleID=24445

Sarah Juon , Editor, NewsoftheNorth.Net
Published 12/07/2008 - 12:30 p.m. CST

Many community organizations have been making local food pantries a priority for their fundraisers. Now local businesses are stepping up to the plate.

At the Rhinelander site of the Wausau Paper Company, USW Local-215 workers donated $1,000 out of the union fund for the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry (RAFP), and 43 management staff raised another $1,720. This is the first time the company has taken a collection specifically for the food pantry.

"We're understanding how the economy and hard times are affecting the demands on the food pantry," said Bill Vancos, human resources manager. "We felt it was especially important to make these donations during the holiday season."

The paper company is also running another holiday program. "We have tags on the wreath," Vancos said, indicating a large wreath in the lobby of the mill, "and individuals take a tag and buy Christmas gifts for the family or children named on the tag. The names come from Social Services. It's a small way to help local families have a good Christmas."

The demand for food pantry services is as high as it's ever been, up 25 percent over last year at this time. (See last week's NNN article.)

"I'm hoping our donation will inspire other businesses to do the same and raise money for the food pantry," said Vancos.

For more information, visit the RAFP website.

PHOTOS at link.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Isn't it usually labor/blue collar that comes thru for the needy?

It always seems that those that have the least are the most generous with what they do have.