Springfield, Illinois (December 20, 2023) – The BRANDT Foundation awarded four grants to charitable organizations at its most recent semi-annual Board meeting. The grantees, all 501(c)3 organizations in good standing for the past three years, boast close ties to the Ag industry and the local communities where BRANDT operates its businesses.
Central California Food Bank – With this grant, Central California Food Bank will continue its Groceries2Go program, a contactless grocery pickup initiative serving low-income families, seniors, veterans, college students, and other individuals in need throughout Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties. Groceries2Go enables clients to schedule an online appointment for pick-up at various locations, eliminating many barriers to food access such as work schedules, medical challenges, or stigma. Families receive boxes of shelf-stable foods and fresh items—including produce, eggs, and meat—while the program provides over 1 million meals annually. This BRANDT Foundation support will help sustain this innovative long-term model and expand its reach to those struggling with hunger.
Kind Mouse Productions – Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Kind Mouse Productions is dedicated to feeding hungry children and families in Pinellas County. Through its Mouse Nibbles program, Kind Mouse provides nutritious meals and snacks to chronically hungry children during weekend and out-of-school times. The BRANDT Foundation grant will be used to purchase food and pantry items, transportation, and delivery services. Kind Mouse aims to feed as many children as possible, particularly those who do not receive school-provided meals over weekends or holidays. Since its founding, Kind Mouse has fed more than 900,000 children and continues working tirelessly toward a future without childhood hunger.
Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County – This grant will support the Club’s Healthy Lifestyle initiative, focusing on nutrition education through the Triple Play program. Youth ages 5-18 learn to choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, improving their eating habits by at least 10% over the course of the project. Club members will also grow a garden in the summer, gaining hands-on understanding of agriculture and cooking. The BRANDT Foundation’s grant will be used to fund nutritious hot suppers during the school year and help guide youth toward healthier meals and habits.
Illinois FFA Foundation – Through the Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters, this grant will help fund the 2024 FFA Alumni Meeting and its live auction, which raises money for critical FFA scholarships. With more than 1,870 scholarships awarded to FFA members to date, the Alumni’s ongoing goal is to encourage youth leadership development, agriculture education, and involvement in the organization’s many events and conferences. From Washington Leadership Conference to local leadership camps, these scholarships help strengthen the pipeline of future leaders in agriculture.
“All of these grants directly align with our goal of supporting agricultural education and fighting food insecurity in the communities where BRANDT has facilities,” said Rick Brandt, President of The BRANDT Foundation. “We’re proud to help these organizations expand their reach and continue making a positive impact.”
The BRANDT Foundation is a private foundation funded through donations from BRANDT, Team BRANDT employees and other generous supporters. Its mission is “to provide meaningful assistance and support to the communities, farms and families where BRANDT has facilities.”