CHS supports rural communities affected by natural disasters
Natural disasters recently affected the CHS Big Sky and CHS Northwest trade areas. CHS and our employees came together to aid in relief efforts.
When natural disasters struck multiple rural communities across the CHS trade territory over the past few weeks, CHS and our employees stepped up to help the areas most affected.
Montana fires
CHS recently committed a total of $20,000 in relief efforts to Denton, Mont., and surrounding community after the West Wind Fire burned more than 10,000 acres. The contribution included:
- $10,000 to the Denton Fire Relief Fund
- $5,000 worth of Payback® Ranger-16 cattle feed
- $5,000 in Cenex® fuel gift cards
“CHS understands the impact a natural disaster such as the West Wind Fire can have on rural communities,” says Cortney Wagner, CHS Board of Directors. “This fire will have long-standing implications for the Denton community, and we are dedicated to being there with support in the months ahead as residents and businesses rebuild Denton.”
Local employees also used their CHS Days of Service hours and volunteered to aid in clean-up efforts.
“I appreciate everything our local team is doing to support the fire relief efforts,” says Keith Schumacher, general manager, CHS Big Sky. “The cooperative spirit of our employees shines through as we pull together to support our owners, patrons and the Denton community in their time of need.”
Flooding in PNW
The giving spirit was also strong when a deluge of rain and early season snowmelt caused flooding in the backyard of the CHS Northwest, Wash., business unit. Employees quickly sprang into action to help clean up debris, reset propane tanks, and check appliances and hot water heaters. CHS also made a $10,000 contribution to the Whatcom Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund and customers have given more than $11,000 through donation sites set up at local CHS retail locations.
“Nearly 1,400 homes were affected by flooding,” says Don Lien, interim general manager, CHS Northwest. “Our team has worked around the clock to help address immediate needs after the flooding to ensure our customers continue receiving safe and efficient heating for their homes.”
Ongoing support
In addition to responding to local disasters in the CHS trade area, CHS Community Giving also makes an annual $75,000 contribution to the American Red Cross’s Ready 365 program to support immediate response after disasters occur.
CHS will continue to monitor how we can support communities and our farmer-owners in the wake of natural disasters, including developing situations in Kentucky and Kansas.
For more on our disaster relief response and all the ways we give back, visit chsinc.com/stewardship.