Record Donation To Local Food Banks

COTE BLANCHE ISLAND, LA.  (December 20, 2010) – The area’s two biggest food banks, St. Mary Outreach in Morgan City and Solomon House in New Iberia, received the single biggest donations of the holiday season today -- $6,000 each from the Cote Blanche Salt Mine, which contributed $1 for each ton its crews mined last Friday. “We are so grateful for the support of Cote Blanche Mine and North American Salt Company. Thanks to the company’s generosity, we will be able to provide more food, gifts and emergency financial assistance for families in need this Christmas season,” said Minister Ellen Nora, director of Solomon House. “It’s a real blessing. The donation will aid us tremendously in continuing the programs and services we provide to the community in 2011.” The holiday checks were delivered on Monday by Gord Bull, manager of the Cote Blanche Salt Mine. “We’re glad to be able to help our neighbors in need,” said Bull. “We are fortunate to have a strong business at a time when many people are hurting in this economy, and the mine is committed to helping local food banks like St. Mary Outreach and Solomon House.” With miners 1,500 feet underground, Cote Blanche Salt Mine produces between 8,000 and 10,000 tons of rock salt per day. The salt is shipped up the Mississippi River to be used for highway de-icing in 18 states throughout the winter. When the company committed to contribute $1 for each ton mined last Friday, the miners reached 12,000 tons over the day’s three shifts. “Support from the miners at Cote Blanche Mine and North American Salt Company at Christmas time is a perfect example of the community in action and the spirit of giving,” said Kay Raymond of St. Mary Outreach. “With the down economy, all the layoffs and elderly people struggling, the needs seem endless. We are very grateful.”