CORDOVA — One local manufacturing plant is taking care of its employees’ work-hours food needs and supporting local restaurants during a time when they are forced doors are shut to diners.
For the past several days, von Drehle has been providing lunches for its “work family,” according to Justin Dawkins, director of operations for the Richmond County plant.
“We don’t consider ourselves just as employees or a team,” Dawkins said, “we are a work family.”
There are 80 “family” members at the Cordova plant working four shifts, 24-7, Dawkins said.
The Hickory-based company produces several paper products: tissues, towels, dispensers and wipers.
“Our team is very fortunate to work in the industry, providing an essential sanitary product,” he said.
There has recently been increased demand for toilet paper after shoppers across the country bought the product in bulk to stock up during panic sprees.
Dawkins said the meals are a way of showing gratitude to the workers for coming in and giving back to the community.
Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order closing all bars and limiting restaurants to take-out or delivery only.
Dawkins said he saw a list of local restaurants that were staying open in the limited capacity and “we had the idea to start working down that list.”
Two of von Drehle’s “family” members, Materials Manager Christy Leviner and Human Resources Manager Judy Ayer, have been instrumental in coordinating with restaurants each day, Dawkins said.
“We can’t thank them enough,” he said.
So far this week, they’ve ordered from Mama’s Kitchen, Pattan’s Downtown Grille, Caddy’s Chill and Grill and this weekend will have food from the Holiday Restaurant.
“We are having the restaurants individually box each person’s meal and (“family” members are) practicing social distancing during their breaks,” Dawkins said.
State and federal health officials recommend individuals maintain a distance of six feet from each other.
“I would like to keep it going as long as we can,” Dawkins said about the meals. “I feel like it’s the right thing to do for our work family and the community.”
Dawkins said he has received a lot of calls for toilet paper, but the Cordova plant doesn’t make the finished product.
von Drehle also has production facilities in: Maiden, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Natchez, Mississippi.
