Farmers Cooperative Association and CoBank recently renewed their commitment to building a better rural America by combining together to give $10,000 in funds to area organizations. Each year CoBank partners with qualified customers to match contributions to charitable groups they support. This year the co-op chose Alva Wesleyan Food Bank, Woods County Senior Citizens and the Alva Fire Department.

Alva Wesleyan Food Bank has been a staple in the Alva community for seven years now, providing food and support to approximately 200 households a month. "Being a ministry of the Wesleyan church, their funding is all by donation and through the generosity of the community, so receiving funds like this mean so much to us," stated Louis Garcia, program manager. The food bank is open every Thursday 3-6 p.m.. The food bank is located on the corner of U.S. Highway 281 and Oklahoma Boulevard.

Another organization that can always use monetary donations is the Woods County Senior Citizens Center at 625 Barnes Ave. in Alva. The center provides nutrition to the most vulnerable in the community. Patrons can come into the center Monday through Thursday over the lunch hour or can arrange to have meals delivered to the home bound Monday through Friday. "We are very grateful for the community as they provide support with generous donations and gifts such as money, food or their personal time. "Without this support the center would not be able to serve nutritious meals to our senior citizens," noted Site Manager Edith Wiebener.

Co-op board members present a check to Alva Fire Department - (from left) Daryl Buckhaults, Ken Waugh, Clint Nighswonger, Jared Bates, Randy Schwerdtfeger, Alva Fire Chief Kirk Trekell, Ronnie Truelock, Tim Ohm.

The last organization is the Alva Fire Department which serves not only the community of Alva but is a huge contributor for rural fire assistance as well. Fire Chief Kirk Trekell remarked "we try to make sure that donations like these are ear marked for our rural assistance. Being funded by the city helps to make sure those needs are taken care of, so we want to make sure our rural equipment is ready for the challenges it faces."

As a rural cooperative the Farmers Cooperative Association makes sure that programs like Sharing Success is utilized to its full potential. "We have made sure to apply for these funds every year the program has been established through CoBank, since 2012. We have been able to put those funds back into not only Alva, but also to Buffalo and surrounding organizations as well, making sure that the Fire Departments are always supported," says Office Manager Charlotte Murrow, "it is a valuable program that goes a long way to help support our communities."