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California United Homecare Workers Union member Francisca Sanchez puts a box of food into the trunk of a car Thursday. One hundred families from Imperial benefited from the food drive. (ALEJANDRO DAVILA PHOTO / April 5, 2012) |
IMPERIAL — Union workers from across the county gathered here Thursday to volunteer their time and distribute food to 100 needy families during the 2012 Imperial Holiday Food Distribution drive.
The drive was organized by the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council and United Way’s Department of Labor participation.
Unemployment is high in the county, so union members identified families in need and “reached out to give a hand,” said Lorena Gonzalez, secretary treasurer and chief executive officer of the Imperial County Labor Council.
Vegetables, turkey and rice were some of the products provided “to make this holiday a little easier,” she said.
This time it was Imperial County that benefited from the food drive, but in May, it will be San Diego families who will benefit from a similar event, said Alma Garcia, California United Homecare Workers Union Chapter chairwoman.
Many are in need in these communities, said Pierina Gomez, executive council of the CUHW, in Spanish.
“It’s a blessing what they are doing for the people,” said Imperial resident Ernestine Ochoa moments after receiving a box of food from union volunteers.
And while people like Ochoa were happy for receiving, union members like CUHW treasurer Francisca Sanchez were happy to be giving.
“I’m very happy. I very much like collaborating with the community,” Sanchez said in Spanish.
Maritza Michel, a union member from San Diego agreed with Sanchez.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s for a school, or a church, the important thing is to help the community,” she said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
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