Steelworkers support Sault Soup Kitchen

The United Steelworkers of America made a $3,000 contribution yesterday to the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen.

The following is the full text of a news release from the Steelworkers:

***************************************************************** Steelworkers' Humanity Fund Makes Donation to Sault Souo Kitchen

Today representatives from the Steelworkers' Union presented a $3,000 donation from the Steelworkers' Humanity Fund to support the work of the Sault Soup Kitchen.

"We are very pleased to be able to present this donation, on behalf of the Steelworkers' Humanity Fund to the Sault Soup Kitchen, and to support in a modest way the very good work of the Soup Kitchen here in the Sault," said Doug Olthuis, USWA Area Coordinator.

The Steelworkers' Humanity Fund is an international development agency sponsored by the United Steelworkers of America.

The Fund was created in 1984 as a unique labour-based response to the Ethiopian famine crisis.

One-penny-per-hour contributions to the Fund have been negotiated into over 500 USWA collective agreements across Canada.

Here in Sault Ste. Marie Steelworker members in the following workplaces participate in the Fund:

- Locals 2251 and 2724 at Algoma Steel

- Local 7129 at ASCU Community Credit Union

- Local 7848 at Union Gas

- Local 8748 at Algoma Tubes, DDI Seamless Cylinder, Pathways Retirement Home, Mintech Canada Inc. and Great Northern Retirement Home.

Each year roughly 15 percent of the Steelworkers' Humanity Fund budget is dedicated to program work in Canada, including a focus on food security and anti-poverty work.

The Sault Soup Kitchen serves between 1,500 and 2,000 meals each month.

In addition to its daily meal, the Sault Soup Kitchen offers a number of programs and services.

The After School program provides tutoring, snack and activities for thirty children each day.

There is a Good Food Box Program, Sponsor-a-Family Program, Community Kitchens, and an HRDC job-search kiosk.

Through the Urban CAP program, guests at the Soup Kitchen are able to use computers and access the Internet.

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