PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate release

Friday, December 17, 2010
 
Granite City, IL -   Employees of Ehrhardt Tool & Machine Company, Inc. delivered 11,215 cans of soup and four pallets of clothing and household items to the local Community Care Center in downtown Granite City.  This tool, die and special machine company with 99 employees, conducted the food drive over a two week period and collected cash and food donations valued at over $5,000 from Ehrhardt Employees.  

 
“I am immensely proud of our employees and the support they have made to this community center.  In the last three years, they have increased from 6,000 cans to over 10,000 cans which is over 100 cans per employee,” said Bob Roseman, president of Ehrhardt.  
 
Jim Zinck, a precision tool and die maker, lead the Minestrone Team to another victory.
 
“In my wildest dreams, I didn’t expect to have them come together and donate over 150 cases for the team but they did”, Jim said.
 
They divided the company into four teams (named after types of soup – Mushroom, Minestrone, Noodle and Tomato) and each team competed for the honor of being the winning team.
 
Granite City’s Mayor Ed Hagnauer and Economic Development Director Jon Ferry were at the Center when the truck arrived and were surprised at the magnitude of this gift.  
 
“This is a difficult time for many of our residents as we recover from this economic downturn.  For these employees of a manufacturing company to be so generous is really appreciated.  We really value our manufacturers and appreciate the hard work and generosity of all the employees at Ehrhardt Tool” the Mayor said.
 
Debra Homyer, Community Care Center Manager, accepted the donation on behalf of the food pantry.  
 
“When they showed up with the truck loaded down with cans of soup and clothing, we almost couldn’t believe it.  This is almost twice their donation of only three years ago and it will make a real difference right into the spring.  What a wonderful gift at a time when we really need it.” Debra said.  
 
The Community Care Center began helping the local community in 1953 and now serves hundreds of families, individuals and children within the Quad Cities area who are in need of food, clothing, or special assistance. 
 
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Michelle Maitz
Ehrhardt Tool and Machine Company, Inc.
618-219-3705