Foodbank Feeds Laid-Off Shipyard Workers

One local community came together to help out those in need, namely, hundreds of shipyard workers of the United Steelworkers Local 8888. On Thursday, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore and the United Way of South Hampton Roads provided food for laid off workers at the Iron Workers Union Hall in Norfolk, reports 13 News Now.

Kurt Barrow, a laid-off electrician, says "I feel like it's a great benefit to the shipyard workers that lost their jobs and may be struggling a little bit, you know, I guess to make ends meet, kind of helps them out a little bit." Since September, more than 1,200 workers have been laid off at Newport News and more than 280 workers might be laid off before end of the year. BAE Systems and General Dynamics NASSCO shipyards may also issue layoffs.

"Times are tough," says Donna Kelly, Agency Relations Manager for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore. "Most people are working paycheck to paycheck. And food is just a basic need and you just assume everyone has that and you want that for everyone, to be food-secure."