With a heaping dose of gratitude, the union stepped forward with a $10,000 pay-it-forward donation to Mrvan and the township to help residents who are hurting today.
“I am touched by the generosity of the membership of Local 7-1,” Mrvan said. “This is a group of individuals who knows the township impacts real peoples’ lives and trusts us to use their donation to its fullest – helping residents who need it most.”
The Northwest Indiana Food Bank will receive $5,000 to help with food assistance while Haven House in Hammond, Fair Haven in Highland, St. Jude House in Crown Point, Sojourner Truth House in Gary and The Caring Place in Valparaiso will each receive $1,000 to help victims of domestic violence.
St. Jude House Executive Director Ryan Elinkowski said the money will be used to fund domestic violence services that are in greater demand as a result of the state’s shelter-in-place directive.
“Our fiscal year comes to a close in June and we have been forced to cancel our largest annual fundraiser because of the coronavirus,” Elinkowski said. “This generous gift from the North Township Trustee’s office and USW 7-1 couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Haven House Board President Christine Russell said the costs of caring for abused women and their children is escalating because of the need to not only protect families from their abusers, but also from COVID-19.
“This donation is going to make it possible for us to get the additional supplies we need to keep all of those who are with us safe,” Russell said. “At the same time, it will allow us to provide additional services to women who are desperate to get out of an abusive situation.”
The Caring Place President & CEO Mary Beth Schultz appreciates a giving and caring community.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has provided many challenges for domestic violence shelters,” Schultz said. “We are all in this together. And together we will emerge stronger than ever.”
Victor Garcia, executive director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, said his organization is seeing 70 percent more households than normal tapping into food resources.
“In February, we served 6,372 individuals through our mobile market distribution. In April, we have already served 11,030,” Garcia said. “That is why the money Frank is redirecting from USW Local 7-1 is so critical. This kind of generosity and our partnership with Frank and North Township is allowing us to help people who didn’t need us in the past, but definitely need food assistance now.”