---

Local Union Electricians and Union Electrical Contractors Helping Food Pantries Meet Growing Demands

FARMINGTON, MO. - As a deepening recession creates more St. Francois County families in need, a partnership of local union electricians and union electrical contractors is donating $3,000 to help food pantries meet increasing demand to feed those families. The Electrical Connection's donation to the St. Francois County Sheriff's Association will help two St. Francois County food pantries - St. Vincent De Paul and Ministerial Alliance. Both report a 30 percent increase in families needing assistance over the last month, and a 75 to 100 percent increase over the last year. The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)

"As Electrical Connections members, we live and work in this community. Each one of us knows people being affected by the current economic crisis," said Danny Miller, owner of Farmington-based Total Electric. "Businesses large and small are closing or laying off workers, forcing more families to turn to food pantries for help. This year we wanted our donation to help as many families as possible so Sheriff Dan Bullock suggested supporting the pantries to ensure the children and their families have a full Christmas meal."

In November, Piramal Glass in Park Hills, Mo. announced it was laying off 190 workers or 40 percent of its workforce. The recession has also struck iconic businesses such as the Dairy Bar, which will close at the end of the year after 56 years as a Farmington landmark. The Missouri Department of Economic Development reports that the county's unemployment rate rose to 7.0 percent in October - up from 5.7 percent in October of 2007. (http://www.missourieconomy.org/regional/profile/?ac=2915000007#Section3)

This is the 14^th consecutive year that the Electrical Connection has supported the St. Francois County Sheriff's Association. This year's donation, made at Total Electric, 605 Potosi Street in Farmington, brings total Electrical Connection contributions to $28,000. Last year, the organization donated certificates for a Christmas ham from Mel's Meat Market, in Farmington, Mo.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across eastern Missouri.

The Electrical Connection has donated $3,000 to the St. Francois County Sheriff's Association to benefit area food pantries. On hand for the Dec. 16, 2008 check presentation were (from left) Dan King, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One; Danny Miller, owner of Total Electric; St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock; and Dave Shaw, St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association.