<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=46zEGO_1FVua5ve00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=46zEGO_1FVua5ve00" width="1200" height="600" >POSTVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) — Most of the 600 former Agri Star Meat and Poultry processing plant workers are back on the job after a July fire as community members request help to support people still waiting for a call back.Investigators said the fire destroyed about 75% of the Postville kosher processing plant after the fire started in the facility’s laundry room. The blaze was ruled an accident. No one was hurt.<h2>Jobs return ahead of holidays</h2>Burn marks still scar the side of the plant, but production is returning. About 400 people who worked at the plant have been rehired, according to Postville Mayor Dennis Koenig.Nearly two months removed from the fire, the timing lines up with the Jewish High Holidays.“I can’t imagine what it would’ve looked like if we didn’t have this miracle,” said Rabbi Moshe Elefant with Orthodox Union Kosher, the kosher certification agency at Agri Star.Elefant said the plant produces about 10 percent of all kosher beef in the U.S.“I’m certainly not exaggerating and saying that meat and poultry from this plant you will find in every one of the 50 states,” Elefant said. “As a rabbi, as a religious Jew, we believe that God runs the world, and He probably had something to do with it too.”<h2>Need for community support continues</h2>After the fire, Kristy Turner, a member of Our Postville Community Heart and Soul, helped organize efforts to get displaced workers rental assistance, home supplies and food. The efforts helped hundreds of families stay in Postville until most jobs returned.“It’s not surprising, and I want to say that because people have been coming together for one another in this community for decades, and so all this is showing is that we are still here for one another,” Turner said. Turner said the Postville Community Food Pantry is seeing increased demand and is hosting monthly meals for displaced workers and the community. Northeast Iowa Community Action and Catholic Charities are providing rental assistance for those in need. St. Paul Lutheran Church members are buying non-food essentials.“This recovery has been a community effort,” said Turner, noting the effort is not complete.About 200 people who used to work at the plant have not been rehired.“They’re not alone,” Turner said. “We want to make sure that if someone is in crisis and needs help, that navigating those resources isn’t another obstacle.”Food is a need, Turner said. Demand is also high for laundry detergent, dryer sheets, dish soap, formula and diapers, especially size 6 and 7.Turner asked those interested in donating or being connected to services to go to the Postville Library or email her at kristyturnersolutions@gmail.com. She can be reached by phone at (815) 757-3947.The group also worked with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to set up a donation fund, providing direct financial assistance to plant workers in need.Donations can be made online at dbqfoundation.org/PostvilleFire. Checks made out to the 2026 Postville Fire Community Support Fund can be mailed to Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque at 700 Locust St., Suite 195, Dubuque, IA 52001.The Postville Community Food Pantry is leading efforts connecting residents in need of food. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 1129, Postville, IA 52162.Rental assistance is available through Northeast Iowa Community Action or Catholic Charities.</div></body>

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POSTVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) — Most of the 600 former Agri Star Meat and Poultry processing plant workers are back on the job after a July fire as community members request help to support people still waiting for a call back. Investigators said the fire destroyed about 75% of the...

Most Agri Star workers return after plant fire, community support still needed

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POSTVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) — Most of the 600 former Agri Star Meat and Poultry processing plant workers are back on the job after a July fire as community memb

Most Agri Star workers return after plant fire, community support still needed

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