First National Bank of River Falls generously donated $2,500 towards a United Way St. Croix Valley Food Resource Center (FRC) shipment benefiting 12 area pantries and two shelters. Volunteers from the bank also come to the FRC each month to assist with pantry pickups.

Pictured left to right are Lois Jenkins, Kaydi Sobottka, United Way's Ann Searles and Carol Sarafin, Chad Edwards and Richard Smith.

Since opening February of 2008, the FRC has distributed more than 1,025,900 pounds of food and other products to area pantries, shelters and meal programs in Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties. That is the equivalent of 789,154 meals for the hungry. United Way is thankful for First National Bank of River Falls' continued support. If your company is interested in donating volunteer hours to help organize the FRC food distribution and/or make a financial donation so we can continue to provide healthy food to fill the gap for the food shelves who serve those in need in our communities, please contact Executive Director Ann Searles at ann@unitedwaystcroix.org or 715-377-0203 ext. 102.

United Way St. Croix Valley will be running its annual online auction throughout the month of June. All proceeds generated by this year's auction will be used to support programs that provide basic needs like food and shelter in St. Croix, Pierce and Polk Counties.

Each week from June 2-29, United Way will post new donated items and services on eBay. This year some of the items that will be offered include Blake Shelton concert tickets donated by the United Way Board of Directors; grocery and gas gift cards; and a variety of sports tickets and memorabilia from teams including the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Twins and St. Paul Saints.

You may visit United Way's eBay page directly at myworld.ebay.com/unitedwaystcroixvalley  to see what is currently for sale. For more information, contact Kate Smith at 715-377-0203 ext. 103 or ksmith@unitedwaystcroix.org.

United Way St. Croix Valley has certified five area employers as Family Friendly Workplaces™ for their forward-thinking employment policies and their commitment to early childhood programs.

Examples of workplace practices recognized by the Family Friendly Workplace™ program include: paid leave, tax-saving options for childcare expenses, flexible schedules for family-related activities and private breast-feeding spaces. Businesses can earn bronze, silver and gold-level certification, depending on the number and type of family-friendly policies they offer. Annual certification fees received by the United Way are directed to its Success By 6™ program, which supports and sustains critical local early childhood programs, helping to ensure a stable future workforce.

United Way commends these organizations for their commitment to their employees and to early childhood development here in the St. Croix Valley.

For more information on the Family Friendly Workplace™ initiative or to apply for certification for your organization, visit our website at www.familyfriendlyworkplace.org.