Contributions Focus on Meeting Immediate Needs for Food and Other Basic Products and Services
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 15, 2020 – AgriBank today announced grants totaling $200,000 to nine non-profit organizations that are helping Twin Cities residents and small businesses recover from recent civil unrest stemming from the death of George Floyd while in police custody.
Many local businesses providing food, medicine and household goods were damaged or destroyed in the unrest. The contributions will help area residents access food and other basic products and services in the short term as well as help the businesses that serve them reopen in the long term.
“The death of George Floyd and ensuing civil unrest over the past two weeks have been particularly devastating to the communities where AgriBank employees live and work,” said AgriBank CEO Jeff Swanhorst. “The destruction to businesses in St. Paul and Minneapolis has exacerbated the lack of food and other basic products and services already felt from the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. As a mission-based organization that ultimately supports the people who feed the world, we’re also committed to helping our neighbors, especially during this time of need.”
Based on recommendations by an employee committee, AgriBank has awarded grants to the following organizations to help with the relief and recovery efforts:
- Lake Street Council – Financial assistance for small businesses near Lake Street in Minneapolis
- Loaves and Fishes – Prepared meal service and distribution
- Lutheran Social Services – Frozen meal distribution program in north Minneapolis
- Merrick Community Services – Food shelves and meals on wheels program in St. Paul
- Midway United Fund – Financial assistance for small businesses in Midway area of St. Paul
- Northside Achievement Zone – Emergency fund for residents in north Minneapolis
- Open Arms – Home-delivered meals for critically ill people
- Second Harvest Heartland – Food bank and food distribution
- Sheridan Story – Food delivery for school-aged children and families
ABOUT AGRIBANK
AgriBank is part of the customer-owned, nationwide Farm Credit System. Under Farm Credit’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 14 local Farm Credit Associations, which provide financial products and services to rural communities and agriculture. AgriBank obtains funds and provides funding and financial solutions to those Associations. The AgriBank District covers a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. For more information, please visit www.AgriBank.com.