The Norman County Soybean & Corn Growers and their checkoff dollars are supporting the Rural Enrichment and Counseling Headquarters (REACH) by donating $500 to help neighbors struggling with hunger this holiday season.
REACH has distributed 127 holiday food baskets to those facing food insecurity in Norman County. The food baskets included a turkey, fresh potatoes, dressing, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, green beans, gravy mix and a pie. The baskets also included a gallon of milk thanks to a generous donation from Norman County Farm Bureau. Each family also received a homemade quilt or blanket furnished by individual donors and gifts to 200 children were provided by residents and businesses of Norman County.
This would not have been possible without many organizations coming together to make sure the holidays are a little brighter for those in need, REACH Director Peggy Chisholm said.
“REACH would like to thank the Norman County Soybean and Corn Growers Association for assisting us financially and contributing $500 towards the purchase of approximately 1,900 pounds of turkeys,” Chisholm said.
Corey Hanson, president of the Norman County Soybean & Corn Growers, notes that Minnesota’s soybean and corn farmers play an important role in providing feed for the meat that ends up on families’ tables. Livestock are the No. 1 consumer of corn and soybeans.
“The Norman County Soybean and Corn Growers know how important the REACH program is for those facing financial hardship in our communities,” Hanson said. “We want to help those who face food insecurity by providing a hot meal during this holiday season.”
The Norman County Soybean Growers Board is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, which oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of approximately 28,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program that requires all soybean producers pay a fee on the soybeans they sell. This money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.
