Cooperatives Team Up To Help Stop Hunger

CoBank and Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) have teamed up to help alleviate hunger through CoBank's “Sharing Success” grant program. The result: $6,000 for the Operation Food Search, Inc. (OFS) O'Fallon distribution center, which serves Lincoln, St. Charles and Warren county food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and school children.

Each organization donated $3,000, which OFS Community Outreach Director Karen Gladieux says will support Operation Backpack. This child-focused initiative provides nutritious, easy-to-prepare, nonperishable meals to local children who may face hunger when they are away from the school lunch program.

CoBank sought grant partners across 50 states. "We are very appreciative of CoBank's mission of sharing their success to help improve the quality of life in our community," says CREC General Manager/CEO Dan L. Brown. "We strive daily to follow one of the Cooperative principles and Touchstone Energy core values, ‘Commitment to our Community.’ This was a great opportunity to bring more resources to our community and help people in need.”

“Sharing Success is a hallmark of the cooperative business model,” says CoBank President/CEO Robert B. Engel. “Throughout America, cooperatives are working not only to provide value to their members but to improve the quality of life in their local communities. We’re delighted that Cuivre River has taken advantage of the Sharing Success program and is using it to support such a worthy cause.”

“We are so grateful to partner with CoBank and CREC to help strengthen our community. This generous grant will have a real impact here,” says OFS Community Relations Director Denny Gladieux.

CoBank, headquartered near Denver, is a cooperative bank providing financial services to agribusinesses, cooperatives and other enterprises in 50 states. To learn more, visit www.cobank.com.

To learn about OFS or make a donation, visit www.operationfoodsearch.org or call Karen Gladieux at 636.544.3500.

(L-R) CoBank Vice President of Electric Distribution Seth Hart, Denny and Karen Gladieux of Operation Food Search and Cuivre River General Manager/CEO Dan L. Brown celebrate the $6,000 “Sharing Success” grant. Funds will support “Operation Backpack” and provide nutritious meals to children who may face hunger when they are away from the school lunch program.