IMA donates to local food shelves

IMA donates to local food shelves

Members of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA), a trade association representing Minnesota’s iron mining industry and its supporters, have donated more than $7,000 this year to support local food shelves.

This month, the association raised $2,700 and collected two boxes of food during a food drive for its annual Funspiel curling event.

Twenty-two local businesses contributed $100 or more to this fundraiser, including: American Bank of the North, ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine, Benetech, Dealers Transmission Exchange, GPM Inc., HDR, Industrial Weldors & Machinists, J.F. Brennan, Jamar,  Komatsu, Mielke Electric Works, Nelson Williams Linings, Northland Constructors, Northshore Mining, Petro Choice, Polymet, Premium Plant Services, Tricon Wear Solutions, TUFCO Inc., U.S. Steel, Viant Crane, and Vic’s Crane & Heavy Haul.

In total, IMA members were able to donate $900 to the Ely Food Shelf, Hibbing Salvation Army, and Virginia Salvation Army each. These entities were selected in an effort to best serve the largest number of Iron Range residents.

A food drive was also held at the event, and IMA members donated a box of non-perishable food items to both the Hibbing and Virginia Salvation Armies.  This is the sixth year the IMA Funspiel has collected money for local food shelves – and the fourth it’s included a food drive.

“We are proud to represent active and engaged community members,” said IMA President Kelsey Johnson.

Earlier this year, the association also donated $5,000 to Hunger Solutions as part of Sen. Tom Bakk’s “Stock the Shelves” fundraising initiative. That donation went to help Cook, Minn., residents affected by last year’s fire that destroyed the town’s only grocery store.