Newport News, Va. – United Steelworkers Local 8888 co-hosted a food bank at its union hall in Newport News on Wednesday to help members who were recently laid off.
The union partnered with the Foodbank of Southeast Virginia and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to offer free bags of groceries to the more than 500 union families affected by the recent furlough at Newport News Shipbuilding.
“Our commitment to these members runs deep – beyond the shipyard and the free bag of groceries we are providing them today,” said USW 8888 President Arnold Outlaw.
Outlaw also announced that the union would be providing free groceries to members again in March at two local food banks in Norfolk and Newport News.
The union also unanimously voted to make two $1,500 contributions to fund the two mobile food pantries that will serve furloughed steelworkers.
“We are honored and grateful to partner with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank today,” Outlaw said. “Their expertise and dedication, along with the hard work and sacrifice of our Local 8888 staff and volunteers, has made it possible for us to help our members.”
