Donations can be doubled when helping families and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Omaha, Nebraska - (May 8, 2020) Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) has pledged a $25,000 challenge match donation to the Food Bank of the Rockies as COVID-19 continues to impact household finances and increases the need for food assistance.
From Mother’s Day (May 10, 2020) through Father’s Day (June 21, 2020), FCSAmerica will match donations, dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000, to the Food Bank of the Rockies. Helping to meet the daily food and nutritional needs of Wyoming families in this time of economic stress is a community effort, and FCSAmerica is matching donations to maximize the impact of that effort.
The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a reminder of the reliability and abundance of the U.S. food system. Unfortunately, even in the ag-based states served by FCSAmerica, some families struggle with food insecurity. The temporary closure of critical food programs, including free and reduced-price school lunches, and increased food and nutritional needs as summer begins has compounded these families’ challenges. It also has added new families to the lists of those needing assistance from their local food banks and pantries.
“As a financial cooperative serving farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses, FCSAmerica views food security as part of our mission to support and strengthen the communities we serve,” said Mark Jensen, CEO and president of FCSAmerica. “We are increasing our giving to food banks in recognition that COVID-19 has both health and financial implications that require all of us to work together for the good of our neighbors, families and communities.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies can go online and donate at http://wyomingfoodbank.org/get-involved/events/ or send a donation to:
Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies
Attn: FCSAmerica Challenge Match
PO Box 1540
Evansville, WY 82636
The donation from FCSAmerica will be used by the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies to address needs that include the distribution of food; drive-through mobile pantries; meat, produce and dairy purchases; and food sourcing.
"We are doing everything possible to continue uninterrupted food distributions during this time. Increasingly, Wyomingites are struggling to get food on their tables,” shared Tony Woodell, director of the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies. “As we work together to nourish those Wyomingites who need it most, I have called on our staff to lean in as never before, to work harder and smarter, and to engage our partners at a deeper level."
"The spirit of collaboration including efforts with our funders, like the First Lady's Wyoming Hunger Initiative, has been humbling,” said Woodell. “We are all leaning in to provide the food and essentials to communities as they respond in this crisis."
This is the second COVID-19 disaster-related contribution FCSAmerica has made. In March, FCSAmerica donated a total of $250,000 to food banks in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Each state received $50,000 to address the immediate and unique needs of food insecurity.
FCSAmerica’s COVID-19 response aligns with its community impact program targeting, including a focus on hunger and nutrition. The Association supports non-profit organizations and programs that serve immediate hunger needs, such as the redistribution of pre-made and perishable meals.
FCSAmerica also supports programs working to break the hunger cycle. Each year, FCSAmerica’s financial support contributes 89 tons of fresh produce for food insecure families, more than 500,000 meals, and more than 1,400 volunteer hours for hunger and nutrition efforts. In 2019, donations supported the distribution of 280,000 meals from food rescue trucks and provided the funding and volunteers needed to make 16 additional mobile pantries possible. Additionally, more than 100 grants are provided annually related to hunger and nutrition.
About Farm Credit Services of America
Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With more than $31.2 billion in assets and $5.9 billion in members’ equity, FCSAmerica is one of the region’s leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at www.fcsamerica.com.
