WICHITA, Kan (May 5, 2020) –In honor of #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity in response to COVID-19, Koch Industries announced $25,000 donations to the Wichita Family Crisis Center and to the Kansas Food Bank, respectively. The donations will help support and address the needs in Wichita, and across Kansas, during this unprecedented time.
The Wichita Family Crisis Center provides comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and sexual exploitation in partnership with several community organizations. While the Crisis Center works to create safe communities and prevent future occurrences, they are currently responding to an increased rate of domestic violence.
“This generous donation will dramatically impact the safety and security of so many of the most vulnerable in our community during this exceptionally difficult time. It is literally lifesaving. And, as a result, our community as a whole will benefit,” said Amanda Meyers, executive director of the Wichita Family Crisis Center.
The Kansas Food Bank collects and distributes donated and low-cost nutritious food to more than 700 hunger relief partners in its service area and has seen a 25 percent increase in food assistance demand since mid-March. The organization is currently distributing more than 250,000 meals each week to 85-counties across Kansas.
“We are honored to receive this gift from Koch Industries to help us provide meals to Kansas households who are struggling during this difficult time,” said Brian Walker, president and CEO of the Kansas Food Bank. “The Kansas Food Bank and our partner agencies are on the front line ensuring our neighbors continue to have access to healthy meals as we work together through this crisis.”
“Koch Industries calls Wichita our home. We are honored to be able to help the Wichita Family Crisis Center and Kansas Food Bank, who have seen an extraordinary increase in demand for their services,” said Meredith Olson, vice president of public affairs for Koch Industries.
Koch Industries, our companies, and our communities are standing together to help create certainty in these uncertain times. To learn more about our response to COVID-19, click here.
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About Wichita Family Crisis Center:
The mission of the Wichita Family Crisis Center is to eliminate domestic violence in our community by supporting survivors through shelter, education, and advocacy. In addition to lifesaving shelter, the Crisis Center assists victims and their children in Sedgwick, Cowley and Sumner counties with finding safe, affordable housing; budgeting and financial planning; and seeking and maintaining employment so that they can heal and reenter the world as independent, productive, and self-actualized citizens. The Crisis Center is committed to eliminating the need for a crisis response by addressing the underlying predicates of domestic violence through robust community-wide awareness and prevention programming. For more information, visit www.wichitafamilycrisiscenter.org.
About the Kansas Food Bank:
The Kansas Food Bank collects and distributes donated and low-cost nutritious food to more than 700 hunger relief partners in its 85-county service area. Last year more than 12 million meals were provided, helping to feed food insecure Kansans. Hunger-relief partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, the Food4Kids backpack program, and senior box programs. In addition, the Food Bank takes a leadership role in identifying and addressing hunger needs affecting Kansans. For more information, visit www.kansasfoodbank.org.
About Koch Industries, Inc:
Based in Wichita, Kansas, Koch Industries, Inc. is one of the largest private companies in America, with estimated annual revenues as high as $110 billion, according to Forbes. It owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining, chemicals, and biofuels; forest and consumer products; fertilizers; polymers and fibers; process and pollution control systems; electronics, software and data analytics; minerals; glass; automotive components; ranching; commodity trading; and investments. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested nearly $120 billion in growth and improvements. With a presence in more than 70 countries, Koch companies employ 130,000 people worldwide, with about 65,000 of those in the United States. From January 2009 to present, Koch companies have earned more than 1,300 awards for safety, environmental excellence, community stewardship, innovation, and customer service. For more news and information, visit www.KOCHind.com.