FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, December 17, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kurt Phillips, Executive Director
515-432-3342
director@booneiowa.us

FAREWAY PROVIDES SECOND $200,000 DONATION TO SUPPORT

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES

NEWS RELEASE (Boone, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. recently announced a second donation in the amount of $200,000 to the Iowa Association of Chambers of Commerce (IACC). The donation provided up to $2,000 in gift cards to IACC chamber of commerce members in the communities Fareway serves.

As an IACC member, the Boone County Chamber of Commerce will receive $2,000 in gift cards, which will be distributed to local small businesses and their employees.

“We are excited to continue our support of small businesses and their employees during this holiday season,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “As small businesses continue to face challenges, we are proud to again partner with IACC, which understands how best to serve its small business members during this unique economic time.”

Boone County Chamber Executive Director Kurt Phillips added, “Fareway Stores continues to step up to the plate to help Iowa businesses struggling with the tremendous impact of the COVID affected economy.  We are extremely pleased to be able to help facilitate this generous outreach in Boone County and of course, proud that one of our hometown companies is leading the way in this charitable effort.”

“Our members work diligently every day to strengthen communities throughout Iowa,” said IACC Executive Director Lane Till. “Through this generous additional donation from Fareway, our members will have the ability to help support the small businesses that create the heart of each of their communities.”

In 2020, Fareway has provided nearly $500,000 in support to small businesses in partnership with IACC and local Chamber of Commerce members. Follow the movement on Facebook with #FarewayShopsLocal, #supportlocal, #IAChamberstrong, #leadwithlove, #boostleadconnect

About Fareway
Fareway Stores, Inc. is a growing Midwest grocery company currently operating 124 stores in a six-state region. Fareway’s mission is to provide the highest quality products, while treating customers like family, and valuing dedicated employees. Its stores are known for their unmatched, full-service meat departments, farm-fresh produce, and exceptional to-your-car customer service. Fareway is a family-owned business, recognized as a top 10 employer in Iowa, and has more than 12,000 total employees. Visit Fareway.com for more information.

Lead with Love is part of Fareway’s mission aimed at supporting local communities through charitable giving efforts and other initiatives by direct involvement and donated resources. Lead with Love is a valued philosophy held by Fareway and inspired by its outstanding employees. Visit Fareway.com/LeadwithLove for more information.

About IACC
Formed in 1916 to enhance the development of chamber professionals, the Iowa Association of Chambers of Commerce continues as the first stop for reaching the business community of Iowa. Innovation with economic development, entrepreneurs and job creation are critical to the growth of Iowa communities. IACC’s mission is to prepare chambers and business leaders to meet the changing demands in Iowa communities.

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NEWS RELEASE  -  For immediate release
Wednesday, November 11, 2020

The Boone County Chamber of Commerce announced today that the Holiday Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony, originally scheduled for Thursday, December 3^rd in downtown Boone, has been cancelled due to new proclamations from the Governor’s office and the increase in local COVID-19 cases.

Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds announced new restrictions on large gatherings by mandating that all participants age two or older wear masks.  Specifically, she outlined indoor events of 25 or more, and outdoor events of 100 or more.  Chamber Executive Director Kurt Phillips said, “The nature of the Holiday Lighted parade and tree lighting ceremony is inherently to gather the community together to celebrate the season, and knowing several hundred people usually come downtown for these events, we just don’t feel we can do it safely and enforce the mask mandate of the Governor’s new proclamations, and in light of the clear and evident uptick in COVID-19 cases and positivity rate here in Boone County.”  Phillips added, “2020 continues to be a challenging year for us at the Chamber as our mission, our programming and events are driven by bringing people together, whether that be a member-only event or community-wide celebration like Pufferbilly Days™.  It has been hard to cancel these events knowing how many people count on them as part of their annual schedule and celebration of all that is good living here, but I think at this juncture we just have to focus on preparing for a better 2021 and hopefully, bring back all of these fun events once we can see a solution to the pandemic.”

The Boone County Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau annually plans and manages more than forty events for their members and the general community.