“In conversation with our charitable partners and on the news, I've seen the dramatic increase in need as individuals and families navigate through the pandemic and its impact on the finances of so many. Food banks and food shelves I've spoken with talk about distribution growing by 25 and even 40 percent in some cases,” said Theresa Zaske, community relations manager. “While the growing need for services is hard to fathom, seeing individuals and organizations like Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation step forward in a big way to make a difference is inspiring.”
The grants include:
- $165,000 for Feeding America. This grant continues Foundation support for specific food banks in the Feeding America Network, including: Atlanta Community Food Bank, Freestore Foodbank, Houston Food Bank, Feeding South Florida, Second Harvest Heartland, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Kansas Food Bank, Great Plaines Food Bank, West Ohio Food Bank and Philabundance. The Foundation made these grants in support of ending child hunger and food safety at the food banks.
- $8,500 for Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. This is a one-time grant requested by the food bank. It will help the food bank provide a safe volunteer and staff experience with additional personal protective equipment and high-speed, no-touch temperature scanners.
- $5,199 for Kansas Food Bank. This is a one-time grant requested by the food bank. It will help provide an electrostatic sprayer to support sanitation efforts and personal protective equipment.
- $3,000 for Freestore Foodbank. This is a one-time grant. The funds will support the food bank’s social-distancing efforts for volunteers with plexiglass sheeting and tablets as well as a microphone speaker system to better communicate in the warehouse while wearing personal protective equipment.
- $5,000 for Minnesota Capitol Pathways. This is an internship that is part of Citizen’s League of St. Paul, Minnesota. The program supports young people of color in learning more about the legislative process through internships in the Minnesota Capitol and various profit and non-profit enterprises. The effort is non-partisan and builds an increased understanding of the legislative process and policy career opportunities.
- $6,000 for Kitchen Table Food Shelf. This food shelf based in Marshall, Minnesota, uses large coolers to hold/display food for clients, as opposed to a walk-in cooler for longer-term storage. The current cooler has been repaired many times and is not functioning properly. The Foundation provided a grant to support the purchase of a new cooler.
Additionally, Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation will continue to support the University of Minnesota. This year, it will provide the following grants:
- $155,000 for graduate work at the university’s College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences.
- $30,000 for undergraduate scholarships in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences.
- $20,000 for undergraduate scholarships at Carlson School of Management.
About Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation
Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on efforts to end hunger, promote youth education and leadership development, and provide essential services that advance the health of the communities where Schwan’s Company employees live and work. The Foundation is headquartered in Marshall, Minnesota.
