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March 3, 2021 Honoring essential workers
Photo courtesy city of Dardenne Prairie
In honor of supermarket employees, officials from Dardenne Prairie visited employees at Schnucks, located in Dardenne Prairie’s Town Square, to thank them for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are more than 100,000 grocery store workers in Missouri.
City of Dardenne Prairie named Feb. 22 as Supermarket Employee Day to honor the dedication shown by grocery store workers during the pandemic
By Brett Auten
During the darkest of times, they showed up to work. Week after week. Month after month. All, so we could have not only normalcy, but nourishment, on multiple levels.
More than 40,000 stores sell food and groceries in the United States, and millions of supermarket employees work daily to keep shelves stocked and provide their communities with essential services. That dedication remained through protocol changes, supply chain disruptions and other challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are more than 100,000 grocery store workers in Missouri. Governor Mike Parson has said it’s a $10 billion industry.
In honor of National Supermarket Employee Appreciation Day, the city of Dardenne Prairie proclaimed Feb. 22 as Supermarket Employee Day and visited employees at Schnucks, located in Dardenne Prairie’s Town Square, to thank them for their efforts.
“Our supermarket heroes have shown tremendous courage and dedication throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Dardenne Prairie Mayor David C. Zucker said. “Their dedication helped ensure that our community had access to safe, healthy, affordable food during these difficult times.”
There are nearly six million supermarket employees throughout the United States. In the Dardenne Prairie area, nearly 580 food retail jobs generate approximately $68.6 million in economic activity annually.
“As consumer demand continues to grow, the need for supermarket employees is greater than ever,” Zucker said. “We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our community.”
With restaurants closing or amending their hours, grocery stores saw an uptick in activity during the pandemic.
“They were able to weather the storm and continue to provide an economic impact,” Dardenne Prairie Economic Development Coordinator Doug Potts said.
Potts also cheered the industry’s ability to adapt and thrive.
“To keep the front end of the operation
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up and running with different staffing, sanitation changes, just a complete change in the structure of how they do business, it is pretty staggering,” he said.
The St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets celebrated the first Supermarket Employee Day by shining the spotlight on its store associates.
As a thank you to its essential workers, Schnucks gave all associates with a Schnucks Rewards account 5,000 points, valued at $10, to use for a break meal and break rooms at all stores were stocked with snacks. Customers honored their favorite employees in social media posts using the hashtags #SupermarketEmployeeDay and #SupermarketHeroes. Schnucks operates 112 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
“Our teammates have stood strong and continued on the Schnucks’ mission to ‘Nourish People’s Lives’ during the pandemic. They are true heroes, and we are thrilled to honor and celebrate them,” Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck said in a statement. “When COVID-19 forced many to shelter at home, we were able to stay open because of our teammates’ dedication, and because of our teammates’ willingness and enthusiasm for trying new things, we have continued to adapt and serve our customers and our communities every day.”
Schnucks Media Representative Paul Simon said similar celebrations went on at Schnucks locations in O’Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters and Wentzville.
“These employees are the backbone of the company,” Simon said. “I don’t want to say they have been overlooked, but their job has certainly gained a new level of respect. It is an essential job that will no longer go unnoticed. There are millions who go to work each day to make sure the shelves are stocked with not only the essentials to survive, but thrive.”
Photo courtesy city of Dardenne Prairie
In honor of supermarket employees, officials from Dardenne Prairie visited employees at Schnucks, located in Dardenne Prairie’s Town Square, to thank them for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are more than 100,000 grocery store workers in Missouri.
Fort Zumwalt kindergarten registration opens online March 3 Four 11th Judicial Circuit Court Judges to retire in 2022
Fort Zumwalt School District reminds all residents that children who will be five years old on or before July 31 can be enrolled for kindergarten online beginning March 3. All of the details for registering will be available at go.FZSD.us/Kindergarten. There, parents/guardians can learn about the process and what you will need. Come back to the site March 3 to register. Classes will begin in August. If you know someone living in Fort Zumwalt School District who has a child who will be five on or before July 31, please encourage them to visit go.FZSD.us/Kindergarten.
Four Associate Circuit Judges in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of St. Charles County have announced they will retire at the end of their terms.
Judge Terry Cundiff, Division 6; Judge Elizabeth Swann, Division 9; Judge Norman Steimel, Division 10; and Judge Philip Ohlms, Division 11, will retire when their terms expire Dec. 31, 2022. Elections for their positions will take place in 2022, dates to be determined and announced.
