IAM District 5, along with 12 members from Locals 2525, W33, and W384 recently organized and performed their second IAM H.E.L.P.S event for 2025 at the Great Plains Food Bank (GPFB) in Fargo, N.D. The local food bank 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 volunteers from District 5 and its affiliated locals were split into two groups, one group packing snack bags for kids and the other group worked on bagging potatoes into four-pound bags. Steve Allard, Joe Schwartz, Jill Olson, Jennifer Winkler, Rebecca Joslyn, Danni Annible, Jessica Anderson and Tami Jesme packed 527 snack bags for kids, while Jeff Hoopman, Chris Seely, Patrick Mathias and James Thompson packed 278 bags of potatoes for a total of 1,112 pounds of potatoes. This effort directly benefited local families, providing them with essential items.
“When we serve our community, we don’t just fill bags,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “We fill hearts, restore dignity, and build a stronger tomorrow in the communities we serve.”
The decision to collaborate with the GPFB was driven by the collective desire of District 5 and its locals to make a meaningful impact in their local communities. By supporting the food bank’s mission, the IAM aimed to contribute to the well-being of those in need by providing essential items for essential nourishment. 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.
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 those in need. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.
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