Grain donation program nets $31,000 for Red Cross in first two days

Trucks at Aurora West ready to dump corn
for the Red Cross on April 1.

Nebraska farmers delivered more than 4,600 bushels of grain that sold for a donation in excess of $31,000 in the first two days (April 1-2) of a grain donation program to support Red Cross efforts to help those impacted by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the Pacific.

The program was announced early last week, and since then donations locations have expanded to include Cooperative Producers Inc. locations.

Donations at just Aurora Cooperative locations as of mid-day today added more than 1,300 bushels to that for a total of more than $41,000, said Aurora Cooperative's Dawn Caldwell. She said the first check will go to the Red Cross late today or tomorrow.

“We’ve seen an incredible response to the grain donation program. It’s the largest program we’ve ever had in our chapter, and dollars generated will go directly to the Red Cross international relief effort,” said Renae Foster, chief operating officer of the Central Plains Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross. “The need in Japan is staggering, and the Red Cross will continue to provide assistance in terms of food, medical care, emotional support and general supplies in response to what may be the largest natural disaster in history.”

Farmers can continue making donations to support the initiative through July 30. Grain donations can be made at Aurora Cooperative locations, and also at all CPI locations.

Farmers who are storing grain at either cooperative can also contribute by contacting their grain merchandiser and transferring ownership to the Red Cross.

“Japan is one of our important customers, buying more than $370 million in Nebraska agricultural products like corn, beef and pork, last year alone,” said Lynn Chrisp, a farmer from Kenesaw and member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “This is a great way for farmers to help them during this disaster, to be a good neighbor to one of our most important global customers.”

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association said it was excited to see CPI join the program and encouraged other cooperatives to join in, as well.

“The more locations there are to deliver corn, the bigger impact we’ll have,” Chrisp said. “In fact, we’re hoping the grain donation program is adopted in other states, too.”

The grain donation program was developed by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Aurora Cooperative and the American Red Cross, with farmer-owned KRVN rural radio also supporting the initiative. It began April 1 at three Aurora Cooperative locations and expanded to other company locations the following day.

For more information, interviews and details from various news outlets, click here, here, here, here, here and here.