VAN BUREN, Mo. (KFVS) – Fishing traps made right here in the Heartland will soon be on the shelves of a Walmart near you, but fishermen aren’t the only ones this product is helping.
Big Spring Sheltered Workshop in Van Buren, Missouri manufactures Royal Minnow Traps.
Director John Henderson said that when he pitched the traps to Walmart, they liked the product, but more than that, they liked the nonprofit’s mission.
“Our mission is to provide meaningful and dignified employment for workers with disabilities and give them the job training and skills to transition into the competitive workforce,” Henderson said.
He said the company employs 24 people with a variety of disabilities.
These employees manufacture Royal Minnow Traps, along with a variety of wood products such as picnic tables and benches.
“They always make it so interesting and we’re so happy to be able to do something to make their lives better,” Henderson said.
Debra Crosby is one of the workshop employees. She helps pack the Royal Minnow Trap.
“I make a little box for one or two people and put them in there,” Crosby said.
She told me she couldn’t wait to see their products as she walked through the fishing aisle at Walmart.
Currently, this workshop sells most of its fishing traps online.
Supervisor Lucy Goetz said all proceeds go back into running the workshop and continuing to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
“Being able to stay open and have a place for our workers to come here and work will help us keep moving forward,” Goetz said.
The fishing trap will be on Walmart shelves next summer.
Henderson said he can’t wait to see his employees’ hard work rewarded.
“They were so excited and so proud to be able to make a product and see it sold and know that it was actually made here,” Henderson said. Told.
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