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IAM District 5, along with members from Locals 2525, W33, and W384, recently organized and performed their yearly IAM H.E.L.P.S event at the Great Plains Food Bank (GPFB) in Fargo, N.D. GPFB is a vital organization committed to fighting hunger by collecting, warehousing and distributing surplus food to those in need across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to needy residents. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.
During the 3.5-hour IAM HELPS event, the dedicated volunteers from District 5 and its affiliated lodges actively contributed to the GPFB’s mission, packing over 370 mobile food boxes, each designed to support a family in need. This effort directly benefited local families, providing them with essential items.
“Service to the community is a cornerstone of the IAM,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “The volunteers from District Lodge 5 should be proud of what they accomplished for their community. Their work will certainly help families dealing with hunger. My thanks go out to all those involved for their work on this exceptional project.”
In addition to packing mobile food boxes, the volunteers bagged a significant amount of potatoes, weighing a total of 5,335 pounds. These potatoes were generously donated by local farmers and were repackaged into smaller bags. The repackaged potatoes will be distributed to local food banks, further extending the reach of the community service initiative.
The decision to collaborate with the GPFB was driven by the collective desire of District 5 and its local lodges to make a meaningful impact in their local communities. By supporting GPFB’s mission, the IAM aimed to contribute to the well-being of those in need by providing essential items for sustenance. The IAM H.E.L.P.S. event highlighted the importance of community involvement, as the Great Plains Food Bank relies on volunteers to successfully fulfill its mission of alleviating hunger in the region.
