Contribution shared among four non-profit organizations
Omaha (September 8, 2020) - Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) is donating a total of $100,000 to support on-going relief efforts for Iowans impacted by the derecho storm. To reach as many people in need across as broad an area as possible, FCSAmerica is dividing the contribution among four non-profit organizations: Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc., American Red Cross Iowa Region, Iowa Food Bank and United Way of Eastern Central Iowa.
The Hiawatha-based Hawkeye Area Community Action Program is supporting the food and disaster assistance needs of Iowans in six counties affected by the storm. United Way of Eastern Central Iowa has established a Derecho Relief Fund for the disaster-designated counties in its service area. The American Red Cross is mobilized and supporting displaced families. The Iowa Food Bank will use its share of the donation to serve areas and families with decreased access to food.
Nearly a month after derecho claimed lives and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses and cropland, non-profit and community organizations remain a vital part of recovery efforts. Many of these organizations are working to address needs on multiple fronts as a result of the storm and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These are challenging times, as this has impacted producers and Iowans in many different ways,” said Mark Jensen, CEO and president of FCSAmerica. “It will take all of us doing our part to move Iowa forward. As a financial cooperative for agriculture, we are working with producers to assess the impact of the storm on their operation. Our donation recognizes the broader needs of agricultural producers, their rural communities and the state of Iowa as a whole.”
In addition to $100,000 in derecho relief, FCSAmerica has donated $525,000 to support COVID-related relief efforts. FCSAmerica’s COVID-19 assistance is aimed primarily at addressing the nutritional needs of families experiencing food insecurity because of job losses, reduced income or changes to critical food programs for children and seniors.
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 nearly $32.3 billion in assets and $6.1 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 fcsamerica.com.
