United Way distributes turkeys to former Sumitomo workers [Video]

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Nearly three weeks after more than 1,500 employees suddenly lost their job with the immediate closure of the Sumitomo Rubber plant in Tonawanda, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (UWBEC) activated its Community Resilience Fund on Monday to support the former employees with the distribution of 500 free turkeys and $50 Tops Friendly Markets gift cards ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday this Thursday.

These donations, courtesy of UWBEC, provides the former Sumitomo employees some tangible assistance to their families this holiday season.

“At United Way, we pay attention to what’s happening in the community, and we wonder whether or not we need to respond,” said Trina Burruss, president and CEO of UWBEC. “The media and the community might remember, about two years ago, we propped up, what we call, the Community Resilience Fund to respond to the needs of the blizzard. It’s been dormant, fortunately, much has been OK …