When Tonja Sarff, a registered nurse consultant, had a fire in her home, her immediate thought was, “Where do we start?”
She and her three teenage children needed towels, pajamas, a waste paper basket. They needed temporary housing. They needed help.
Immediate help came from Tonja’s employer, Willmar-based Jennie-O Turkey Store (JOTS). She applied for and quickly received a check from the Crisis Assistance Relief Effort Fund that she could use to purchase basic supplies and put toward a rental home.
JOTS partners with Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) to offer what’s known as the CARE Fund. JOTS employees can apply for up to $1,500 of emergency funds to help them through an unforeseen hardship situation. Last year alone, the CARE Fund supported 20 employees.
Besides fire, the fund has helped cover hotel costs while employees are receiving cancer treatments away from home, or burial costs of an immediate family member and many other situations. One thing the fund doesn’t cover is medical expenses—JOTS provides quality coverage options to their employees already.
The fund is supported by collective donation efforts like vending machine proceeds and staff “buying” casual days in the office. JOTS contributes at a corporate level and individuals can donate, too. Through the partnership with SWIF, gifts are tax deductible.
Steve Lykken, vice president of supply chain, contributes to the CARE Fund as part of his family giving plan. He appreciates knowing his gifts directly support team members in need—even people he may not have necessarily met.
“Any one of us could have a crisis,” Steve said. “Any one of us would be blessed by this gift.”
He also sees his giving as a way to be good stewards of the community, strengthening the employee/employer relationship. He said everyone has a desire to help those in need and the fund creates a unique way to do it.
“I can’t think of a better way to reach out,” he said. “If that’s where your heart is, it’s a great fit.”
That sense of team support is at the heart of JOTS company culture. Along with its parent company, Hormel, JOTS has been recognized multiple times for positive human resource efforts.
“We want to be good citizens,” said Patricia Solheid, vice president, HR & administration. She said they do this by operating good facilities, being a good employer and making community donations. “There’s a feeling of satisfaction when helping people,” she said.
JOTS employs about 2,000 people in Kandiyohi County alone so their presence is definitely felt economically. Beyond the CARE Fund, JOTS supports SWIF’s General Endowment at the Growing Home Circle level, contributing to economic and social growth throughout the entire southwest Minnesota region.
And the difference is felt at the personal level.
“Every day I go home thankful,” Tonja said. “There are people that are going to surround you in ways you never thought possible.” Her advice is to accept it. “You’ll give back when you’re ready and able.”
