Many of you know the terrible times the Iron Range is experiencing right now, but it's probably worse than you think.
• In 2015, area mines laid off more than 2,000 workers. More layoffs are happening in 2016. Already, 600 of those individuals have exhausted their unemployment benefits. By the time the Legislature convenes on March 8, that number will increase to more than 1,000 workers with no money coming in.
• In addition to the mining layoffs, hundreds of other workers now find themselves unemployed following layoffs in service and other spinoff industries.
• Unemployment in Virginia is at an astounding 30 percent. A recent study found that almost 60 percent of children 5 and under in the Virginia School District are living below the national poverty level.
These tough times are depleting area food shelves. Many Iron Rangers are losing hope.
We can't get their jobs back, but we can help our union brothers and sisters get through this crisis. Find out how you can help through Education Minnesota's Iron Range food shelf drive.
Education Minnesota is sponsoring an Iron Range food shelf drive through the month of February to help those families hit hard by recent layoffs in mining and other industries.
All donations will go to the Arrowhead Economic and Opportunity Agency (AEOA), which oversees about a dozen food shelves in northeast Minnesota.
If you would like to donate, go online or send cash or check (payable to AEOA) to:
Greg Miller
1711 E. 13th St., Suite 1
Hibbing, MN 55746