City of Racine employees prepare emergency food boxes for residents in need

By: Tori Bokios

Posted: Apr 21, 2020 3:26 PM CDT

NOW: City of Racine employees prepare emergency food boxes for residents in need

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Some City of Racine employees are making sure their neighbors will not go hungry.

"It really speaks volumes about the commitment to public service that our city employees have for the community that they love," said Racine Mayor Cory Mason.

With their normal day jobs put on hold because of coronavirus, employees like those who work at the library or for the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department, are now serving the community in a different way.

The group of volunteers, including Mayor Mason, are packaging up thousands of food boxes for people in need Tuesday, Wednesday, and in the future if needed, through the Racine County Food Bank.

"We know as coronavirus has gone up we’ve seen some people lose their jobs and so we know the need for resources, like the food they distribute at the Racine County Food Bank, is really important," Mayor Mason, said.

The food bank says the work being done will provide them with a safety net and allow them to distribute the boxes from just about anywhere in the city.

"This is going to be very important moving forward to make sure we get food to these families that need it," Dan Taivalkoski, Racine County Food Bank Executive Director, said.

Kim Rice, a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center employee, volunteered at the food bank on Tuesday and although she and her colleagues miss their jobs, the city employees are happy to still be able to serve their community during these uncertain times.

"It’s kind of sad because I work with the kids and I miss them a lot," Rice said.

"It just hurts to see how many people are really in need,” Khiera Hood, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center employee, said. “You never really know until you see it, so just being able to help give them food, whatever we can do really helps.”

If you want to help the Racine County Food Bank, Taivalkoski said the best way at this time is to make a monetary donation. If you'd like to contribute, CLICK HERE.