Sussex County farmer supports Kiwanis Club through America’s Farmers Grow Communities

Local farmer Douglas Vanderwende has directed a $2,500 donation to the Kiwanis Club of Bridgeville. Funded by America’s Farmers Grow Communities, the donation will help the group send local FFA members to the state and national conventions. Vanderwende has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years and is pleased to direct the donation to an organization that does so much for his community.

Thanks to the support of farmers across the country, more than $3.2 million is being directed to nonprofits in 1,289 counties in 39 states.

“We would like to thank Douglas for his support, and also thank Monsanto,” said Jesse Vanderwende, Kiwanis Club president. “The Kiwanis Foundation is all about helping children in our community, and this donation will help us provide more for them."

America’s Farmers Grow Communities works directly with farmers to support nonprofit organizations like Kiwanis, which are doing important work in their communities. The program offers farmers the chance to win $2,500, which is then donated to the farmer’s nonprofit of choice. Through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, farmers have been able to support a variety of groups such as schools, fire departments, community centers and youth organizations like 4-H and FFA.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities, launched in 2010 and sponsored by The Monsanto Fund, has since donated more than $13 million to more than 5,200 nonprofit organizations across the country. It is part of the America’s Farmers initiative, which highlights and celebrates the important contributions farmers like Douglas Vanderwende make every day.

For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more program information, go to growcommunities.com.