Those readers who wish to help families and children in Worthington who have been affected by the ICE sweeps through the Swift hog processing plant can contribute in several ways, the Worthington Globe reports:
The Chicano Latino Affairs Council of St. Paul issued a press release explaining it was “coordinating a relief response with the City of Worthington to aid the children and families affected by the recent events” at Swift. The Council was encouraging metro-area residents to deliver cash donations, diapers, infant formula and non-perishable food items to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, St. Paul.
Contact information for the church for metro readers who wish to help:
401 Cesar Chavez St.
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-228-0506
“The Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating all cash donations to provide relief to the families and children affected,” the Council’s press release added.
Checks and money orders should be made payable to Worthington Chamber of Commerce (memo: Latino Families); and are being accepted in person and by mail at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council office, or at the Chamber at 1121 Third Ave., Worthington.
Mayor Alan Oberloh was also working Thursday with District 22B Rep. Rod Hamilton to set up a list of contact names of people who could meet various community needs and answer questions. Aid and donations were to be sent to the Chamber or be called into its executive director, Darlene Macklin, at 372-2919. Questions pertaining to locations of people detained may be addressed to Mike Cumiskey, Worthington’s director of public safety, at 372-2136.
Oberloh stressed anyone who phones Cumiskey would not need to “fear any type of repercussions,” and Cumiskey seconded that statement.
“We’re not asking any questions about status; we’re just providing information,” he said. “We can be a liaison for ICE in trying to get that information (locations) for them.”
Nobles County Integration Collaborative Coordinator Sharon Johnson is also available to answer general questions at 376-3300, and individuals with concerns about children being separated from their families may call Pam Fleming at Nobles County Family Services, 372-2157. Oberloh said he had heard some accounts of children left unattended, but added those reports were unsubstantiated. People calling Family Services would also not need to worry about any repercussions, he said.
On a national level, newly elected U.S. Rep. Tim Walz said he planned to be in Worthington a week from today to meet with local officials and leaders on the matter.
“Right now, we’re trying to gather as much information as we can,” Walz said by telephone. “We’re trying to monitor it … from people, to police, to members of community so affected by it. This puts an incredible burden out on the community. What it does is it causes a lot of animosity among all different people in the community, and that’s Congress’ job to help alleviate that.”
What needs have the raids created? The Globe reports:
Gene Foth, Manna Food Pantry’s coordinator, wrote in an e-mail that his pantry, located inside Westminster Presbyterian Church, was hit with about $6,000 in excess food expenses Wednesday after having contact with about 60 families in need of food.
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