contributed by Jennifer Johnson, CHS
Brandon, South Dakota. (July 13, 2020) – As local food shelves and pantries see increased demand, CHS is distributing more than $400,000 and 30,858 pounds to those local and regional organizations as part of the annual CHS Harvest for Hunger campaign.
Employees of CHS based out of Brandon, South Dakota, CHS Farmers Alliance, CHS Northern Plains and CHS Nutrition worked with farmers, ranchers, community organizations, schools and other CHS locations across the United States to gather funds and food donations during the annual CHS Harvest for Hunger drive March 1-20.
Even though community fundraising events were cancelled mid-campaign due to COVID-19 precautions, the strength of the cooperative spirit was evident as employees and community members adapted and improvised to finish the campaign and gather donations.
Locally, CHS will distribute $25,131.64 to Feeding South Dakota. Several other donations will also be made to local organizations within each business unit in addition to the funds received by Feeding South Dakota.
“Now, more than ever, our local food shelves and food pantries are doing essential work, feeding those in our communities who are struggling,” says Kent Mulder, general manager, CHS. “I am proud to see how the cooperative system came together to support this campaign, even as we faced unexpected challenges to our usual fundraising efforts.”
“Our farmers and ranchers are feeding the world, and that effort includes feeding those in need in our own communities. Our donation is made possible by the giving from our patrons, community members and employees,” says Jacob Bailey, general manager, CHS Farmers Alliance. “I encourage others to consider giving to their local food shelves and pantries as well. Their services are vital to the strength of our rural communities.”
Since 2011, CHS Country Operations, a division of CHS, the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, has organized the campaign to gather money and food for local and regional food shelves across the country. With this year’s total, the cooperative has now raised more than $6 million and 4.5 million pounds of food in the 10 years since the campaign was first launched.
