ATTICA - A.V.R. Fire District and Attica Community Food Pantry will now be able to better serve the community, thanks to the support of local farmers Fred and Christy Schoen and America's Farmers Grow Communities.
Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Co., Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice. To further support counties declared natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to the drought this year, winning farmers in these counties are able to direct double donations, a total of $5,000.
Seneca County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving the Schoens the opportunity to choose two organizations to receive $2,500 donations. They selected the A.V.R. Fire District and the Attica Community Food Pantry.
The fire district is to use the donation to purchase new helmets, boots, a hose and possibly a few air bottles to supply a self-contained breathing apparatus.
The food pantry is to purchase food and personal hygiene products for more than 60 families in the Seneca County area.
"I'm a nurse and it's in my blood to help people," said Christy. "I'm so grateful to be donating to these organizations because they take great pride in assisting the community."
This year, the Monsanto Fund is to invest nearly $6 million in rural America through Grow Communities, which includes double donations for counties impacted by the historic drought.
For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more information, visit growcommunities.com.
