As the lockout of United Steelworkers Local 7-1 members at the BP Whiting refinery continues, local organizations are doing what they can to help.
Especially the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, which says the union has helped them various times over the years.
“It’s exactly what we’re here to do,” said Tricia Sheaks, vice president of operations and community impact for the food bank. “Even if it’s people that have never used our services before, we don’t really ask any questions. We’re just here to provide the resources.”
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and United Way Northwest Indiana have partnered for mobile food bank distributions for USW members locked out of the Whiting refinery. The first distribution was Monday, and they have more scheduled for June 22, July 13 and July 27.
The distributions will continue even if the lockout ends, Sheaks said in a Thursday interview. During distribution days, the food bank’s mobile market will be available at the union hall, 2045 Schrage Ave., in Whiting, and it will only be available to USW 7-1 families.
United Way Northwest Indiana provided $12,000 in funding for the mobile markets, said President and CEO Chris White. He added that the organization has formed a “great relationship” with the region’s labor unions.
White believes families across the region need help from organizations including United Way.
“But when a large number of people are locked out of their jobs, they can’t go to work; the situation is beyond their control,” he added. “We want to make sure we’re doing what we can to support them.”
United Way is sponsoring the mobile markets through June and July, but White said they will extend their support if needed.
“We are looking at spending more and more of our resources supporting agencies who are doing the fundamental work to make sure that we have a basic safety net and who are providing resources throughout the region,” White said. “There’s no better organization to work with where we know that the money that we’re able to provide in support is going directly out to families than through the food bank.”
Distribution boxes are packed with dry goods, canned foods, proteins, fruits and vegetables. At the first distribution, the organization provided food for about 100 USW employees.
“They seem to really like the products,” Sheaks added. “We got some feedback saying that they just have not been able to buy it for their families, so I was happy with what we decided to send and that they were grateful for it.”
USW 7-1 President Eric Schultz said all the food brought to Monday’s distribution was passed out, underscoring the demand among the union’s members. Through the years, the union has partnered with the food bank for charity drives.
“This is the first time we’ve been on the receiving end,” Schultz said. “We gladly accepted the help.”
As the lockout has dragged on, Schultz said it’s become more difficult for members to afford groceries and other bills without a paycheck. Next week marks three months since the start of the lockout. The union and BP have met several times for negotiations, but the company claims the two parties remain far apart on key issues.
“The more this drags on, the more it helps people to see other people in the community care about them,” Schultz said. “They’re reaching out with ideas and ways to help them. It’s nice to have some help to put food in the pantry and the refrigerator, but then it’s also heartwarming for people to know that there’s people out there who care.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
