Three of the nation’s leading cooperatives serving agriculture and communities across rural America today announced they are partnering to support the American Red Cross in the wake of heavy rain and severe flooding that devastated parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota at the end of June. CHS, CoBank and Land O’Lakes will together donate $100,000 to aid relief efforts in the impacted region.
The impact of the historic flooding is widespread. Overflowing rivers have destroyed homes, swamped farm fields and washed away bridges in the Midwestern states.
- In Rock Valley, Iowa, residents were evacuated by boat and helicopter following a levee collapse that made evacuation by road impossible.
- Nearly half of Minnesota has been impacted by flooding that has caused water levels on the Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to rise to their highest levels in a decade.
- A railroad bridge linking North Sioux City, S.D., with Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River.
Many residents in impacted regions were forced to flee their homes as the waters rose. Flooding has been particularly devastating in rural communities where the full economic impact due to loss of crops, livestock and equipment is yet to be determined.
Working with partners, almost 250 trained Red Cross disaster workers are currently providing people in impacted communities with safe shelter, food, emotional support, relief supplies and health services such as replacing eyeglasses and medications. The organization has provided more than 28,800 meals and snacks and distributed more than 6,600 relief supplies. Since the onset of the flooding, there have been more than 2,700 overnight stays in shelters managed or supported by the Red Cross.
“The American Red Cross is helping across the Midwest, providing support and comfort to those affected by the flooding,” said Gino Greco, chief executive officer, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming. “The Red Cross is working with local officials and community partners to make sure people get the help they need. Where it is safe to do so, Red Cross volunteers are helping assess the residential damage in affected communities. This work could not be done without the generous support of donors like CHS, CoBank and Land O’Lakes.”
“Our hearts go out to those whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by the recent flooding,” said Leslie Hagele, vice president, corporate social responsibility at CoBank. “While we know that full recovery from this disaster is a long-term proposition, CoBank and our partners at CHS and Land O’Lakes hope that our joint contribution will help to ease the most immediate suffering.”
“As cooperatives, we understand the value of joining together to promote the greater good and we’re proud to support the Red Cross as they help these impacted communities to recover and rebuild,” said Megan Wolle, senior director, CHS stewardship.
“Land O’Lakes is committed to supporting the communities where our employees, members and customers live and work,” said Morgan Kinross-Wright, vice president of community relations for Land O’Lakes. “We are proud to work together with great organizations like the American Red Cross, CoBank and CHS to maximize our impact in helping those affected by the flooding.”
