United Way of St. Charles gets $50,000 grant

Bunge donates for Katrina relief

By Staff Report

May 03, 2006 at 12:09 pm  | Mobile Reader | Print 

Denise Brodsky, Executive Director, United Way of St. Charles (center) poses with St. Charles Parish leaders holding the generous donation from Bunge North America.

“This generous donation will go to benefit various agencies and their continuing relief efforts,” stated Denise Brodsky, Executive Director of United Way of St. Charles.

“Agencies benefiting from this donation include the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Stable, the St. Charles Community Health Center, the St. Charles Center for Family and Youth, and the St. Charles Madere Child Advocacy Center. United Way appreciates Bunge’s confidence in our efforts to support local agencies that are commited to our region’s recovery."

Representatives of Bunge NA presented a check to United Way of St. Charles on April 26, and the check ceremony took place at United Way offices at 13207 River Road in Luling.

In a letter announcing Bunge’s contribution C.J. Jones wrote, “As a part of south Louisiana for more than 40 years, Bunge North America and our employees were saddened by the widespread destruction following Hurricane Katrina. Bunge believes supporting the communities we serve is an important measure of our success as we strive to be the world's best integrated food and agribusiness company. We are proud to fulfill our responsibility with these contributions.Bunge North America is a supplier of agricultural commodities, specialized food and feed ingredients, and food products. Destrehan, LA is home to Bunge NA export elevators and a soybean processing facility.”

The company also operates barges on the Mississippi and a network of elevators along the Mississippi River. The Destrehan operations employ approximately 140 local residents. To aid in the disaster relief efforts across Louisiana and Mississippi, Bunge has made contributions approaching $250,000 to help employees and the communities where they live and work.