UAW Local 12 food pantry delivering meals and morale boosts to the picket line – WTOL

TOLEDO, Ohio — More than 6,000 workers joined the United Autoworkers’ stand-up strike against the Detroit Three on Monday. 

Members at Stellantis’ largest and biggest moneymaker, the Sterling Heights Assembly plant, walked off the job and onto the picket line, bringing the number of striking UAW members to over 40,000.

RELATED: Autoworkers strike at Stellantis plant shutting down big profit center, 41,000 workers now picketing

The UAW said that Stellantis is lagging behind both Ford and GM in addressing union demands, leading to the strike at the Ram 1500 truck plant.

While negotiations continue, union members are still holding the line under the rallying cry of “one band, one sound” at UAW Local 12.

Behind the scenes, UAW members are busy at a local kitchen to fuel their coworkers on strike. 

Doris Jones is an organizer for the UAW Local 12 food pantry. She said they are open seven days a week for any worker in need.

“They (UAW members) come to the pantry and retrieve items for their families,” Jones said. “Things that they may need and that’s available to them.”

But it’s not your average pantry. Food is cooked, meals prepared and then delivered to the picket lines.

Organizers drop off more than 400 meals a day across four shifts, with extras.

“Hot drinks, soups, gloves warmers, hats; anything that is for them, I make sure that it gets out there to them,” Jones said.

Strikers said when the food pantry rolls in, the morale outside the plant goes up.

Marcus Stephens, the strike captain at Gate 10, said he has never turned down his serving. 

“I love food so I’m always good, whether it’s chili dogs, whether it’s pizza, lunches, dinners, every little bit helps,” Stephens said. “It just helps people keep their spirits up a little bit.”

The feeling is mutual among many of the pantry volunteers.

“It’s a very humbling thing to see everybody sticking together and working well together,” UAW Local 12 pantry volunteer Marcus Kidd said.

To keep the pantry running, the UAW accepts donations and every month a raffle is held at the Local 12 rummage sale. Proceeds feed the pantry and then, the line. 

“So many that have really come and showed out for UAW Local 12 with donations and we gladly appreciate it,” Jones said.