(WSIL) -- Food insecurity is an ongoing issue with many seniors and low-income families struggling through this time. Recognizing this increasing need, Laborers' Local 773 decided to step up to help feed the community.
"We're on social security, and it's not very secure right now," explained Jerry Erwin as he picked up food Thursday for his family and five others.
"We've got some other families that's on disability, and they're having a rough time, and we're just trying to help out best we can."
Erwin wasn't the only one picking up food to deliver to other families. Health and Welfare Fund administrator Heather Laughland-Etherton says they encourage the sharing.
"We hear that over and over again, that people are sharing these boxes. It's more than just one family can use, and that sense of community is pulling all this together, you hear, 'We're all in this fight together,' and we are."
Food distribution is a new program for Laborers' Local 773, which already participates in a wide variety of community programs.
"Because food is what was needed right now."
Local 773 President Matt Smith says helping feed those in need was a natural next step.
"With everything going on with the pandemic, there are hungry families out there."
Smith says food is also delivered to churches, food pantries, police stations and to people who are unable to leave their homes.
Volunteer Mendy Karnes says everyone is grateful, and some are using food giveaways for the first time.
"They say, 'You don't realize how much that helps us, that we can spend a little bit of money on something else,' so it makes me feel good."
If you missed Thursday's event, Local 773 is holding another food giveaway next Thursday beginning at 8 a.m. at Shawnee Community College.
They will return to their Marion location for another giveaway the following week with a goal to keep the program running through summer and into the fall.
