Community Impact. Powered Locally.® Powered with Purpose. At Cenex®, building community is more than a mission. As the cornerstone brand of the nation’s largest ag cooperative, the Cenex brand was built with homegrown roots and a dedication to being locally owned and operated. Creating community connections is at our core. Cenex doesn’t just power communities across America, we help bring them together. That’s why we’re dedicated to supporting the communities Cenex calls home. From the creation of new community resources from recycled scrap metal, to support for local little leagues and beloved annual festivals, Cenex supports the projects, initiatives and homegrown efforts that make the communities we serve unique. Powered with Pride. How We've Given Back $400,000 awarded to celebrate and support Cenex communities since 2017 4,500 little leaguers now have access to modern parks 75 Cenex community projects funded Current Initiative Hometown Pride At Cenex, we know the backbone of every community is made up of dedicated people, businesses and organizations helping foster genuine connection. Whether it be a non-profit organization, initiative, community service or tradition, Cenex is funding philanthropic community efforts to build brighter futures with $25,000 grants. Past Initiatives Fields for Kids The local ball field is among the most celebrated community assets, and youth ball fields are one of the few remaining landmarks that has the power to bring friends and neighbors together. In partnership with the Minnesota Twins, Cenex gave aging ball fields new life, restoring community traditions in the process. Positive Coaching Alliance Cenex partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance to provide coaches with training workshops in rural schools to foster positive environments for young people to succeed on and off the field in competition, the classroom, at home and in their communities. Meet Our Communities Powered With Hometown Pride Explore the impact map below to learn more about the projects we’ve supported so far—and how Cenex can support the important work happening in your community. × Idaho Old Time Fiddlers' Contest Weiser, Idaho Hometown Pride This old time music competition and festival draws musicians of all ages from across the country. With more than 7,000 in attendance each year and almost 350 performances, it is a key pillar in the fiddling community. × Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days Creston, Iowa Hometown Pride Since 1978, balloonists and spectators have flocked to Creston to attend this annual balloon event. The festival also includes a parade of bands, balloon rides, flea market and the popular Night Glow event. Jim Fanning Field Hartley, Iowa Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Hartley, Iowa new life through key field renovations. Avenue of Flags Holstein, Iowa Hometown Pride A Holstein avenue is lined with nearly 450 flags, each privately purchased and dedicated to military veterans who have connections to the community. Holstein State Theater Holstein, Iowa Hometown Pride This theater is just one of ten theaters left in the country of its architecture style. As the stage to many family movie nights and first dates, the Holstein State Theater has been a centerpiece in the community since 1927. Castletown, USA Ida Grove, Iowa Hometown Pride This small Iowan town hosts an eclectic assortment of medieval architecture. Locals and visitors alike revel in the midst of dozens of everyday buildings designed as castles like the newspaper office, a roller-skating rink and the shopping plaza, to name a few. Outdoors Without Boundaries Newton, Iowa Hometown Pride Through passionate volunteers and specialized equipment, Central Iowa Outdoors Without Boundaries is a nonprofit organization that gets everyone enjoying the outdoors through hunting, no matter their physical limitations. Tulip Time Pella, Iowa Hometown Pride This annual celebration transforms Pella into a town rich in Dutch culture, featuring parades, food, performances, attire and thousands of blossoming tulips. Each October, volunteers plant the tulip bulbs in preparation for the event that takes place each May. American Legion Post 317 Radcliffe, Iowa Hometown Pride With about 25 active members, the small, yet mighty American Legion Post 317 members fundraised to rebuild their local community center. Now, it’s equipped with updated technology and a refreshed space ready for every event. Rock Rapids Mural Rock Rapids, Iowa Hometown Pride Over 30 murals cover the buildings of Rock Rapids, IA. From notable portraits to memorializing historical moments, these morals are a true source of pride to the community. Antique Carousel Story City, Iowa Hometown Pride This 100-year-old, hand-carved wooden carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was honored by the National Carousel Association. It was purchased in 1938 and has nearly 20,000 riders each summer. Tiffiny's Tipton Bakery Tipton, Iowa Hometown Pride Famous for its crescents, Tiffiny's Tipton Bakery has served locals since 1928. Visitors have caught wind of the flakey, buttery goodness and will travel far for one of the award-winning treats. Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption West Bend, Iowa Hometown Pride The Shrine of the Grotto is a religious shrine created from precious stones, said to be the world’s most complete man-made collection of minerals, fossils, shells and petrification in a single place. × Kansas Cyclone Day Memorial Codell, Kansas Hometown Pride On May 20 a tornado tore through the town of Codell three years in a row: 1916, 1917 and 1918. In commemoration of the record-setting weather phenomena and it’s 100th year anniversary, a 15-foot Cyclone sculpture was installed in a local park. Stone Arch Bridges Cowley County, Kansas Hometown Pride Eighteen stone arch bridges, almost all over 100 years old, are found throughout Cowley County, KS. These bridges span creeks and rivers, and some have as many as four arches! ARC Park Hays, Kansas Hometown Pride ARC Park aims to give a space for children with all abilities to learn, grow and play. An accessible playground, splash pad and ball field will bring children and families of Kansas together. Neewollah Independence, Kansas Hometown Pride One hundred years ago, Neewollah (Halloween backwards) started as a way to keep playful pranksters out of mischief on Halloween night. Now it is a week-long event that gathers people from across the state. Andreson Memorial Park Plainville, Kansas Hometown Pride The Plainville Ambassador Club fundraised to turn an old lot into a beautiful park, complete with a walking bridge, gazebo and even an underground sprinkler system. This park serves as a place for community connection and served as a gathering spot in 2018 for a memorial honoring 9/11. New Recreational Ball Fields St. George, Kansas Hometown Pride The town of St. George only has one ball field, which creates a bottleneck of users throughout the year. Which is why the St. George Recreation Commission (SGRC) is working to complete new ball fields and is raising funds for fencing, tilling, seeding the outfield, lights, bleachers, restrooms, parking and more. Baileyville Benefit Basketball Tournament and Fundraiser Seneca, Kansas Hometown Pride Each winter, hundreds gather to participate in a basketball and volleyball tournament and auction to raise money that helps local families in need. Fourth of July Turtle Races Sterling, Kansas Hometown Pride Many towns use fireworks and parades to celebrate the Fourth of July, but in Sterling the holiday also includes decorating and racing Kansas Box turtles. Grant winnings were used by Sterling’s volunteer fire department. × Michigan Menominee County Fair Powers, Michigan Hometown Pride For more than 100 years, the Menominee County Fair has brought fun and excitement to its community. The event includes tractor pulls, proud 4H kids showing their animals and carnival games and rides. × Minnesota Annandale Free Store Annandale, Minnesota Hometown Pride The Annandale Free Store provides free clothing, hygiene supplies and household items to people in need. Funded entirely from community donations, this small town store demonstrates the spirit of neighbors coming together for one another. Willie Walleye Baudette, Minnesota Hometown Pride Willie the Walleye is a 40-foot, 2.5-ton fish that was built in 1957 and has come to symbolize the Lake of the Woods, an area that is heavily trafficked by local and traveling anglers. World's Largest Crow Belgrade, Minnesota Hometown Pride In honor of the state's centennial in 1988, the World's Largest Crow was built. The 43-foot-tall crow sits atop a 31-foot-long branch, looking over Minnesota's Crow Country. Inside its pedestal, visitors can find a museum dedicated the city. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Bemidji, Minnesota Hometown Pride Towering at 18 feet tall, Paul Bunyan and his sidekick Babe the Blue Ox are integrated into every part of the Bemidji community. The statues attracts visitors from far and wide to see learn the story of the famous folklore. Kid Day Benson, Minnesota Hometown Pride A tradition that dates back to the 1930s, Kid Day celebrates the youth of small-town America. The event draws kids from across the state for a fun-filled day including a parade, carnival, live music, kid royalty and more. Fireman's Field Carlos, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Carlos, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Ojibwe Tribe Powwows Cass Lake, Minnesota Hometown Pride In Minnesota’s warmer months, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe host powwows near Cass Lake to celebrate Native American heritage in song and dance, while working to raise funds for the Native American community. Heart of the City Playground Danube, Minnesota Hometown Pride The city of Danube has come together to build a new playground to replace the wear and tear of the existing one. With accessibility for all children in mind, the new neighborhood treasure will include slides, swings and more, plus a community clubhouse! North Field at North Park Dodge Center, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Dodge Center, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Annual Threshing Bee Donnelly, Minnesota Hometown Pride To honor Donnelly’s history of agriculture, the annual Threshing Bee celebration includes threshing competitions, antique tractor pulls and live chain saw carving. Art Von Field at Lake Park Athletic Complex Duluth, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Duluth, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Stauss Park Ball Fields East Grand Forks, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in East Grand Forks, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Veterans on the Lake Resort Ely, Minnesota Hometown Pride Created as a recreational facility for folks to benefit from both the great outdoors and the unrivaled Boundary Waters, this resort serves the needs of veterans — both disabled and able-bodied — active-duty military and their family and friends. Northwoods Park Ball Fields Hutchinson, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Hutchinson, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Backus Community Café International Falls, Minnesota Hometown Pride Operating out of the Backus Community Center, this volunteer operation has prepared and served thousands of essential free, hot, nutritious meals for community members in need. The cafe's work helps residents struggling to make ends meet and creates a space for locals to connect and lend a helping hand. Lamberton School Ball Fields Lamberton, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Lamberton, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Light Up the Night Marshall, Minnesota Hometown Pride Light Up the Night is a winter wonderland made of lights. Hosted and benefited by the Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care, this event kicks off each holiday season with a community parade, fireworks, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, sledding and more. The Community Band Meire Grove, Minnesota Hometown Pride The Meire Grove Community Band has been playing since 1883, making it the longest continually playing band in the state of Minnesota. Pelican Pete Pelican Rapids, Minnesota Hometown Pride Pelican Pete is a 15-foot-6-inch statue that was built in 1957 and holds the title of world’s largest pelican. Pete is an area landmark and frequent photo-op for tourists. Klassen Popcorn Stand Plainview, Minnesota Hometown Pride Since 1989, Leona Klassen and her family have been selling popcorn at their polka-dotted popcorn stand in Plainview, Minn. Open on summer evenings throughout the summer, locals and visitors know where to get a salty snack! Park Moms Renville, Minnesota Hometown Pride With a common goal of keeping their children active and healthy, the parents of Renville come together to support the maintenance and expansion of their local parks so they continue to thrive for years to come. Champion Field Sartell, Minnesota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Sartell, Minnesota new life through key field renovations. Lights in Motion Sleepy Eye, Minnesota Hometown Pride Holiday season is always bright here thanks to the annual, animated holiday light show that runs from Thanksgiving through the New Year. The show includes twinkle-lit trees, decorated camper cabins, trolley rides and a visit from Santa. Skate Path Warroad, Minnesota Hometown Pride The Riverbend Skate Path is over two miles long and features public and private ice-skating rinks, cross-country ski paths and a snowmobile trail. The path is made for walking, running, skating, sledding, and most importantly, connects the community together. King Turkey Day Worthington, Minnesota Hometown Pride This long-standing tradition celebrates the abundance of wild turkeys in southern Minnesota. Each year, turkeys from Worthington and Cuero, Texas race for the title of the Great Gobbler Gallop. × Missouri CF Russel Stadium Trenton, Missouri Hometown Pride This 1934 high school stadium is home to many memories for the community, from sporting events to local festivals, vigils and fundraisers. A staple event is the annual Pink Out night, where the community rallies to raise money for the Grundy County Breast Cancer Support Group. × Montana East Glacier Park Women's Club Community Hall East Glacier, Montana Hometown Pride 100 years ago, a group of women came together to form the Women’s Club, and in the 1940’s, the group built a center which still stands tall today. Here you'll find the community library and local events. Paddlefishing Season Glendive, Montana Hometown Pride Paddlefish descend from an ancient lineage of primitive fish most closely related to sturgeons. It is said that they may be the oldest big game animal in North America, which draws people from across the nation to Glendive to cross paddlefishing off their bucket list. Champions Park Shelby, Montana Hometown Pride Located at the site of the historical 1923 boxing match between Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons, Champions Park highlights the history of this northern Montana town with life-sized statues and a boxing ring. × Nebraska Avenue of Flags Hemingford, Nebraska Hometown Pride On five holidays throughout the year, over 200 American Internment Flags line this Nebraskan town's main streets. Each of the flags were donated by veteran’s families, then cared for and hung by the local legion. Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands Omaha, Nebraska Hometown Pride One way the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands supports the youth in their community is by providing meals for students before and after school. While learning was virtual in Omaha, the Boys and Girls Club increased this offering to three square meals each day. Kolach Days Verdigre, Nebraska Hometown Pride Kolaches are a favorite Czech and Slovak dessert made from dough and a delicious fruit filling. One weekend each summer, these pastries become the centerpiece of a cultural celebration featuring a carnival, live music, dancing, baking and eating contests, parades and more. × North Dakota NEW WINNER: Kids Academy Daycare Center Berthold, North Dakota Hometown Pride When all three childcare centers in Berthold, N.D. closed their doors, a team of dedicated parents and local leaders joined forces to create this nonprofit that provides an essential service for local working parents. The organization helps keep Berthold a sustainable place to raise a family, providing not just safe supervision, but enriching and educational hands-on lessons for children ages 10 years and under. Cavalier Motorcycle Ride In Cavalier, North Dakota Hometown Pride This annual weekend event draws crowds from all over the U.S. and Canada. Each year, thousands ride in on motorcycles to enjoy live music, food vendors, dancing in the street, burn out competitions and more. Dickens Village Festival Garrison, North Dakota Hometown Pride For nearly 30 years, this three-weekend festival turns Garrison into the Christmas Capitol of North Dakota. The event features horse-drawn carriages, an authentic English double decker bus, a lighted parade and live performances of A Christmas Carol. Watch the video Cares for Cancer Hankinson, North Dakota Hometown Pride This nonprofit was founded to keep community support close to home. The group awards grants to help ease the financial burden for local families battling severe illness or medical hardship within the community. Authentic Danish Windmill Kenmare, North Dakota Hometown Pride Built in 1902 by a Danish immigrant farmer, this beautiful windmill fell victim to arson in the winter of 2019. Since then, the community’s park district has raised funds to restore the town’s valued landmark. The Geographic Center of North America Rugby, North Dakota Hometown Pride A monument marks what is known as the center of North America. Nearby is the Prairie Village Museum that celebrates the history of the region and emphasizes the community’s commitment to local businesses. Sauber Sports Complex Stanley, North Dakota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Stanley, North Dakota new life through key field renovations. Thompson Ball Fields Thompson, North Dakota Fields for Kids To celebrate a community asset with the power to bring friends and neighbors together Cenex® partnered with the Minnesota Twins to give an aging youth ball field in Thompson, North Dakota new life through key field renovations. × Ohio Metal for Moms Monroeville, Ohio Hometown Pride Nonprofit Metal for Moms recycles donated metal and turns the scrap into profits for local charities. Since its inception in 2011, the group has recycled more than 1.2 million pounds of metal and has given more than $120,000 to local charities. The group has also donated swing sets, baseball mitts and Christmas presents for people in need. × Oklahoma Corona Cruise Pond Creek, Oklahoma Hometown Pride When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders felt the most isolating, the Pond Creek community mobilized. They met under the local Cenex canopy for a cruise down main street every Saturday evening, bringing the community together from afar. × Oregon Four Rivers Cultural Center Ontario, Oregon Hometown Pride The Four Rivers Cultural Center chronicles over 200 years of history for the quaint town of Ontario, Ore. What was once a small town established along the Oregon Shortline Railroad is now a thriving melting pot proud of its heritage. × South Dakota Storybook Land Aberdeen, South Dakota Hometown Pride From the Humpty Dumpty roller coaster to a Wizard of Oz balloon ride and now a tea cup ride, this free nursery rhyme amusement park brings families together in the summer months. Potato Days Clark, South Dakota Hometown Pride Historically, Clark has always been a potato town. So, each year they celebrate their history and their current potato farmers with Potato Days, a festival complete with potato cooking contests, decorating contests and even mash potato wrestling. 110-foot Elevator Mural and 1925 Carousel Faulkton, South Dakota Hometown Pride A two-for-one deal: Faulkton hosts both a 110-foot grain elevator mural painted by Australian artist Guido VanHelten and a nearly 100 year-old carousel still in operation every summer. H&M Youth Rodeo Series Howes, South Dakota Hometown Pride Since 2008, this volunteer-run youth program has helped engrain both the technical aspects of the sport of rodeo — riding and roping — and life lessons of responsibility, confidence and perseverance for local youth while keeping a beloved Western tradition alive. In a region with few opportunities to participate in organized sports, the program has helped young athletes realize their potential, with some even competing at the collegiate and professional levels. 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting Redfield, South Dakota Hometown Pride Known as the pheasant hunting capital of the world, Redfield has become an epicenter for generations of hunting families during opening weekend. In 2019, the tradition celebrates its one hundredth year, or its "Pheasantennial." Watch the video Holiday Festival of Lights Yankton, South Dakota Hometown Pride Nothing kicks off the holiday season like the annual Holiday Festival of Lights, which includes a parade of lights and a tree lighting ceremony that brings the community together to celebrate holiday spirit. × Wisconsin Durand Area Youth Fishing Contest Durand, Wisconsin Hometown Pride Nestled on the picturesque Chippewa River, four days of fishing engage children in the area each summer. The skills and love of fishing are being instilled in young anglers for generations to come! Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Hayward, Wisconsin Hometown Pride Dedicated to promoting the sport of freshwater fishing and archiving its history, this museum features sportfishing artifacts including rods, reels, mounted fish and antique motors, along with a 143-foot-long, outdoor Muskie sculpture resting atop an 88,000-gallon pond. Iola Car Show Iola, Wisconsin Hometown Pride As the largest car show and swap meet in America, this event draws more than 115,000 people to this small town. This nonprofit event began in 1972, relies on more than 2,000 volunteers and has given back more than $8.4 million to more than 130 different civic organizations or projects since its inception. Mondovi Ladies Holiday Luncheon Mondovi, Wisconsin Hometown Pride In 1963, a women's volunteer group was formed and quickly became the foundation of female entrepreneurship in Mondovi. Today, the group's main event is the Holiday Luncheon that raises essential funds for the community. State Cow Chip Throw and Festival Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin Hometown Pride This annual festival features a Ping-Pong paddle-sized cow chip throwing contest. In addition to the competition, attendees can also enjoy live music, 5K or 10K runs, food, kids' activities, beer tents and a craft fair with over 150 booths each September. Eagle Watching Sauk City, Wisconsin Hometown Pride Hundreds of people gather in the winter months to watch eagles soar along the Wisconsin River. Each January, the town hosts Eagle Watching Days for bird watchers to celebrate our national bird. Watermelon Festival Stanley, Wisconsin Hometown Pride A celebration of watermelon that started in the ‘70s is still alive and well today. One weekend each summer, the folks of Stanley, Wis. celebrate their community with games, raffles, food, a car show and, of course, watermelon. × Wyoming Edible Prairie Project Gillette, Wyoming Hometown Pride The EPP is a nonprofit that supports independent family-scale agriculture and increases the affordability and accessibility of food for all members of their community. EPP strives to cultivate a fair, resilient, and sustainable community food system. Powered with Possibility. How can the Cenex brand fuel your community? With our $25,000 Hometown Pride grant, we’re providing support for the philanthropic efforts driving those connections to make a difference in the Cenex communities our C-Store locations call home. Whether it be a nonprofit organization, initiative, community service or tradition, Cenex wants to fuel the community catalysts driving positive change for their hometowns today and for generations to come. Hometown Pride grant nominations are submitted in coordination with a local Cenex dealer or retailer. Not sure if there’s a Cenex in your community? Could your community efforts qualify for a Hometown Pride grant? Find your nearest Cenex location I'm Looking for a All Locations Store Location Lubricants - Distributor Propane - Distributor Premium Diesel - Distributor Near Find Locations Discover how our Hometown Pride grants are making an impact in hometowns across America How a Creative Hometown Homage Saved This Community Building Community Through Art Cenex® brand awards first Hometown Pride 2.0 grant