Hy-Vee Employees Revitalize Chariton through Home Renovation, Community Cleanup Effort

Special guest Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg assists employees in revitalization effort

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (May 10, 2018) — On May 10, Hy-Vee, Inc., and its subsidiary Midwest Heritage, collaborated with the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund to host a home renovation project and community cleanup event in Chariton. Special guest Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg joined the effort on Thursday.

In October 2017, Hy-Vee and Midwest Heritage announced a $250,000 pledge to the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides safe and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income residents in Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe and Wayne counties in Iowa. The contribution is being used to assist the newly created Chariton Housing Revitalization Program, which invests in and revitalizes homes in and around Chariton in need of repair.

Matt Beenblossom, Hy-Vee’s vice president of distribution in Chariton, said the company was honored to host the event, which celebrated the next phase in efforts to revitalize the community.

“The community of Chariton is an important part of our history and a special place to us. Hy-Vee was headquartered in Chariton for many years, and our largest distribution center is located here,” Beenblossom said. “Hy-Vee is pleased to work with the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund to make a visible and valuable impact in the community while encouraging more people to make Chariton their home.”

More than 50 Hy-Vee and Midwest Heritage employees worked alongside members of the Chariton community to renovate two of four homes purchased through the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund in 2017. Renovation work included demolition, siding, painting, repairs, updates and more. The two home renovations took place at 301 N. 7th St. and 724 East Woodlawn. Lt. Gov. Gregg joined in demolition work at one of the sites.

“It’s great to see these outstanding Iowa companies engage their employees in meaningful volunteer work, especially when their volunteerism and collaboration can so clearly change a rural community for the better,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “Congratulations to Hy-Vee, Inc., Midwest Heritage and the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund for creating this unique opportunity for the community of Chariton, its residents and the employees involved. Housing is such a critical issue in rural Iowa, and it’s great to see these organizations stepping up to take action. It was an honor to be part of this innovative renovation project.”

Photos are available upon request and at https://www.facebook.com/HyVee/.

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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.