UFCW Feeding the Hungry with Paula Deen

Food Network star Paula Deen was in West Michigan to unload hams for needy families at the Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. Paula Deen and husband Michael Groover along with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951, Smithfield and Meijer unloaded 40,000 pounds of Smithfield hams. Paula Deen understands what it is like, struggling to make ends meet. “I have been through some rough times way back. If it had not been for my aunt Peggy bringing me sacks of groceries, I don’t know what I would have done,” Deen said. Deen has been very honest about her struggles as a single parent, moving her family from house to house and working very hard and still not being able to make ends meet. “There is a problem in this country, it’s a problem with working people, who are trying to better themselves and take care of their families. No child should go to bed hungry, not in this country,” Dean said. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 had officers, staff and members on hand to help unload the hams. On behalf of the UFCW 951 Foundation, Todd Regis, Executive Vice President, donated $500 to help feed West Michigan families in need. The UFCW International Union helped sponsor the event along with Smithfield foods, in a joint effort to distribute 200 million servings of protein in the next three years. Fred and Lena Meijer, owners of the Meijer supermarket chain, were on hand to present a check for $5,000 to help feed the hungry in West Michigan. Food insecurity is a crushing experience for families; all children deserve fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat. John Arnold, executive director of Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank was thrilled to get 150,000 servings of ham. Arnold says that they do not get a lot of meat donations. Having this much meat donated at once is a huge thing. Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank fill and empty their warehouse every three weeks, providing food to West Michigan families in need.