A new job action centre has opened in St. Marys to assist workers who will soon be out of work.
The action centre is to support the more than 200 employees of Kraft-Heinz, who will lose their jobs when the former Richardson Foods plant closes in the next few months.
It's operating out of the Pyramid Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 4pm.
The Action Centre expects to find a more permanent home in a storefront once a lease can be secured.
Partners in the Action Centre include United Way of Perth-Huron, Employment Ontario, and Kraft-Heinz.
"It’s a difficult time for everyone but I’m pleased that we can do something to restore hope and help people find their next step in life," says United Way Executive Director Ryan Erb.
United Way has operated action centers in the past.
"We are often asked to assist when no union leadership is available," says Erb.
St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee is happy to see some supports arriving.
"We’ve been wanting to help employees as much as possible – now we have an opportunity to support them in a very tangible way," he says. "The Town of St. Marys has been advocating on behalf of employees since the first announcement and we will continue to do everything we can to help."