AMES, Iowa – Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) presented a $15,000 check to the Iowa Food Bank Association (IFBA) during the Iowa State vs.Texas Tech men’s basketball game at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 15.
The check presentation was part of the “Sack Hunger” program, a partnership between Cyclone Sports Properties, HyVee and FCSAmerica designed to fight hunger in Iowa. The check represents $1,000 for each of the fifteen (15) quarterback sacks by the Cyclones football team during the 2013 season. Cyclone Sports Properties, the multimedia rights holder for Iowa State Athletics and a property of Learfield Sports, was integral in bringing together HyVee and FCSAmerica for the “Sack Hunger” collaboration.
“While our farmers and ranchers help feed the world, it is hard to imagine people in Iowa are hungry,” said Jim Knuth, Senior Vice President, Farm Credit Services of America. “This contribution will help the Iowa Food Bank Association provide needed food to nearly 400,000 Iowans, 137,000 of whom are children.”
The IFBA coordinates efforts to alleviate hunger by supporting Feeding America food banks that serve all 99 counties in Iowa.
“The commitment from Farm Credit Services of America, HyVee Food Stores, and Cyclones Sports Properties is tremendous,” notes Cory Berkenes, State Director of the IFBA, “addressing the issue of hunger through statewide collaboration is essential; this generous contribution will most certainly help in our fight against hunger.”
In addition to FCSAmerica’s contribution, HyVee collected non-perishable food and other donations on “Sack Hunger” Day last season at the Oklahoma State football game as part of the program. The donation is part of FCSAmerica’s Community Involvement program, supporting agricultural education, young and beginning producers and hunger and nutrition initiatives. FCSAmerica has 19 Iowa retail offices and supports community initiatives in its four-state area, which includes Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.