Mineola Union Donates 375 Easter Baskets to Children

Members of UFCW Local 342 recently delivered 375 Easter baskets to four charitable organizations located within its surrounding neighborhoods so that underprivileged children in the area could have an opportunity to further enjoy their Easter.

The union represents nearly 10,000 workers in the retail food, wholesale food processing, distribution, manufacturing, and healthcare industries.  Local 342 members work at employers ranging from A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaum’s, Food Emporium, Stop & Shop and , to wholesale shops located in the Hunt’s Point Market, as well as nursing homes.

“It’s just a beautiful thing,” union member Dean Blafford said.  “To see the faces of these children light up with excitement gives you a warm feeling and also makes you appreciate what you have.”

Each year, Local 342 members look forward to providing underprivileged children some happiness during the Easter holiday that they may not have received if it was not for local charities and their generous donors. Organizations such as the Lighthouse Mission in Bellport, New York, Fellowship Baptist Church in Staten Island, New York, Angel Guardian- Mercy First Church in Brooklyn, New York, and Our Lady of Grace in West Babylon were the recipients of the baskets.

“Our members seemingly want to donate more baskets and do even more to help these underprivileged children during Easter every year,” union safety, education, cultural and activities director Kelly Egan said. “No matter what type of economic situation our country finds itself in, our members always find a way to go the extra mile and give a little bit more.”