As the pandemic continues to create hardship in our communities, IBEW Local 654—the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Upper Chichester, continues to find ways to help.

On June 6 they will be hosting a food drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their facility, 3279 Chicester Ave. in Boothwyn.

Items dropped off will be donated to local food pantries.

The union workers are following up on a recent food drive by State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-165).

For that drive, they donated $1,500 to three of the food banks set up by Rep. O’Mara.

“After seeing the generosity of the food drive conducted by Rep. O’Mara, there was no reason Local 654 couldn’t do the same thing using our resources,” said Tommy Loughhead, a member of IBEW Local 654s Executive Board.  “Hopefully, we’ll have a bug turnout from our community and members.

Local 654 has already stepped up to help during the pandemic by delivering hot meals, with the help of the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) to hospital workers at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Riddle Hospital.

Those wishing to contribute to the June 6 drive are welcome to bring the following items: dry goods, peanut butter, canned meats and tuna, stews, soups, cereal, paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, detergent, toothpaste, deodorant and bars of soap.

To keep everyone safe during the coronavirus quarantine, IBEW 654 members will set up a drive through in the parking lot.

Contact-less food drive donors can drive into the designated area. IBEW 654 members will remove the food items from vehicle trunks.

Local 654 has a history of helping out the community.  It has been cleaning local parks and streets and doing maintenance work at local schools and churches for more than 70 years.

“IBEW LU 654 is founded in community service and all of our members love getting involved and giving back to people in our community,” said Paul Mullen, Local 654’s business manager.

“We know that food pantries are in need of resources more than ever, and our members aren’t the type to just sit back and not get involved, so we wanted to do our part, which is how this food drive came to fruition.”

To find out more about the IBEW Local 654 food drive, call 610-494-2820.