The Grinnell Rotary Club met on November 14, 2017 at Westside Family Restaurant. Our speaker for the evening was Ashley (Rubendall) Shawler who works at Grinnell State Bank and is on the board of directors of United Way of Grinnell. United Way of Grinnell funds organizations who help people in three main areas: poverty, health and education. A sampling of the organizations that United Way of Grinnell has funded in recent years include: the Mid-Iowa Community (MICA) Food Pantry, Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool, the Grinnell Ministerial Association, the Grinnell Newburg School District’s Fourth Grade Y-Camp Experience, Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters, Grinnell Recreation Department, Iowa Legal Aid, Local Foods Connection, Poweshiek County Extension, Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell (SEG), Crisis Intervention Services, Girl Scouts of America and the Women’s Health Clinic (Note: this organization closed this past year and United Way is looking to partner with another organization to meet the needs this agency formerly served.).United Way of Grinnell also provides funding to the Montezuma Food Bank. United Way of Grinnell is 100% nonprofit. 99% of the money raised each year stays in Grinnell. Organizations may make requests for funding from United Way anytime from May through the second week of June. All organizations funded by United Way must maintain nonprofit status. Each dollar given to United Way helps supports programs that last year changed over 4000 lives in Grinnell.
The Grinnell Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 6:00 PM at Westside Family Restaurant. Visitors are always welcome.