The Tyson Foods facility in Lexington, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
LEXINGTON — Immediate relief is on the way for Lexington families impacted by the Tyson plant closure, thanks to the Sherwood Foundation.
The Sherwood Foundation’s generous gift of 1.1 million dollars will allow Lutheran Family Services (LFS) to begin delivering emergency help to qualifying residents. Starting Monday, March 9, former Tyson employees who are still looking for work can register with LFS and receive a relief check within days.
“Sherwood is truly honored to stand alongside LFS and the broader coalition of partners working to care for the Lexington community during this challenging time,” says Liz Codena of the Sherwood Foundation. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support this critical work.”
One million dollars of the grant goes to the LFS Tyson Relief Fund, plus an additional $100,000 to support work at the LFS Lexington office that has been ongoing since Tyson’s announcement last November. Codena specifically called out the leadership of LFS’ Handy Marin-Diaz as “impactful and deeply responsive to the needs of the Lexington community.” To date, the LFS Lexington team has provided support to well over 1,000 people needing guidance on finding jobs, filing unemployment, learning new skills, or receiving mental health therapy.
“We know the people of Lexington love their community and don’t want to leave,” says Chris Tonniges, President and CEO of LFS. “Our hope is that Sherwood’s support along with others will allow us to help make that possible for them. We are deeply grateful for Sherwood’s amazing generosity and their continued support of those in need.”
To be eligible, applicants start by making an appointment by using this link: https://bit.ly/404zg5Y.
They must have been laid off by Tyson in Lexington as part of the January closing, and present their Tyson ID, a recent Tyson paystub, and a valid government ID. Once registered, they can pick up their check later that week. This funding will be distributed as a onetime cash assistance payment. Each eligible individual will receive $500 to address their immediate needs. More info at www.onelfs.org/lexington emergency-fund.
