The GROWMARK Foundation Launches Relief Effort for Ukraine

“Partnering with Midwest Food Bank to get high-protein, easy to use food into Ukraine through reputable partners is a blessing and squarely in line with who we are as an agricultural cooperative system”

GROWMARK, Inc. is partnering with the Midwest Food Bank to deliver relief to war-ravaged Ukraine. Beginning today, GROWMARK System employees, members, and customers can make financial donations to the GROWMARK Foundation which will go directly to providing Tender Mercies to Ukraine.

Tender Mercies meals have been a hallmark of the Midwest Food Bank’s mission to fight against food insecurity across the world. Every dollar donated provides four servings of meals that are designed by dieticians to provide critical nutrition. The GROWMARK Foundation is also offering a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $5,000 donated through the program.

“This is a specific point in history when we have the opportunity to live out our noble purpose ‘to help feed and fuel the world,’” said Ann Kafer, GROWMARK Executive Vice President, HR and Corporate Services. “Partnering with Midwest Food Bank to get high-protein, easy-to-use food into Ukraine through reputable partners is a blessing and squarely in line with who we are as an agricultural cooperative system. It was an easy ‘yes’ for GROWMARK, and something I’m proud to support personally as well. While everyone gives in their own ways, if anyone is looking for an impactful way to support people in Ukraine, please consider this effort.”

While based in Normal, Illinois, Midwest Food Bank has partnerships across the globe to provide food relief in times of disaster through its Tender Mercies program. Tender Mercies are high-protein, shelf-stable food packets that can be prepared using only boiling water, making them ideal for people who may not have access to normal cooking facilities. To aid in Ukraine relief, Midwest Food Bank has partnered with Convoy of Hope, which is working on the ground in Ukraine and nearby countries to distribute food and other supplies to those who need them most.

“Midwest Food Bank is honored to partner with Convoy of Hope to provide food for Ukrainian refugees,” said Jada Hoerr, Midwest Food Bank Chief Resource Officer. “Together, we are able to provide nutritious meals for the displaced Ukrainians in Romania and other parts of Europe.”

Donations can be made online at http://www.bit.ly/GROWMARKFoundation or by mailing a check made out to GROWMARK Foundation and mailed to GROWMARK Foundation, c/o Karen Jones, 1701 Towanda Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61701.

Midwest Food Bank has 12 locations, including 10 in the U.S. and one each in East Africa and Haiti. For more information about Midwest Food Bank, please visit their website at: midwestfoodbank.org.

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

The GROWMARK Foundation was formally incorporated in 2005 and supports 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations. The Foundation is focused on programs and activities which support: the vitality of the industry of agriculture; agriculture education and consumer understanding of agriculture’s contributions to society and the economy; agricultural leadership development; and education about the benefits of the cooperative way of doing business. The GROWMARK System has been involved in a variety of philanthropic efforts, including youth and young leader education and development and scholarships, for decades.