On August 2, UFCW Local 653 partnered with Supervalu and Jerry’s Enterprises to provide food and supplies to JBS Swift plant workers in Marshalltown, Iowa, who were affected by the July 19 tornado. The JBS Swift workers are members of UFCW Local 1149. Both Supervalu and Jerry’s Enterprises are unionized grocers that employ UFCW Local 653 members.
A Supervalu tractor trailer pulled up around noon to the UFCW Local 1149 Union Hall adjacent to the JBS pork processing plant in Marshalltown to deliver over $8,000 worth of food and supplies to UFCW Local 1149 members who work there. Supervalu provided the driver, tractor trailer and coordinated the delivery to the JBS plant. UFCW Local 653 and Jerry’s Enterprises made the donation of food and supplies to fill the trailer.
“Natural disasters such as this test our mettle,” said UFCW Local 653 President Matt Utecht. “At the UFCW, we’re a union family and we persevere. We must stick together and provide support for one another. Just as tornadoes know no boundaries, our union family knows no state boundaries when it comes to helping fellow working people. I hope this delivery of food and supplies helps our union families and communities affected by this tornado get back on their feet and thrive.”