Sioux Center Public LIbrary – 712-722-2138 – siouxcenterlibrary.org

Smithfield Foods donates $15,000 to Library building project

Smithfield Foods donated $15,000 to support the Sioux Center Public Library’s building project. 

Representatives from Smithfield, the City of Sioux Center and Sioux Center Public Library met Friday, Jan. 10, to receive the $15,000 check donation. 

L to R: Karen Olson, associate environmental health safety manager, Smithfield Foods; Heidi Ouwinga, assistant director, Sioux Center Public Library; Scott Wynia, city manager, City of Sioux Center; Becky Bilby, director, Sioux Center Public Library; Joel Hoogeveen, plant training supervisor, Smithfield Foods; Nathan Frens, general manager, Smithfield Foods; Claudia Carbajal, operations manager, Smithfield Foods; and Erika Gonzalez, food safety and quality assurance supervisor, Smithfield Foods. 

“We are grateful for Smithfield’s generous donation,” said Becky Bilby, director for the Sioux Center Public Library. “These funds are integral to meeting our fundraising goal and we could not do this project without their support.” 

With the total building cost projected at more than $640,000, donations from local businesses have played a key role in fundraising efforts. 

“We appreciate the support and significant contribution from Smithfield toward the library renovation project,” said Scott Wynia, city manager for the City of Sioux Center. “Smithfield is a valuable business partner in this community and this gift helps close the gap to complete the project.” 

“Smithfield is honored to support educational opportunities in the local community that we call home,” said Nathan Frens, Sioux Center general manager for Smithfield Foods. “Libraries are important in providing all neighbors with access to knowledge and resources and promoting literacy and education.” 

In addition to the financial donations towards the library building project, the library collaborates with Smithfield through a job application program. Ruth Mahaffy, bilingual services librarian, hosts a drop-in application support program that many individuals utilize to apply for jobs. In 2024, the library helped more than 400 patrons apply for employment at Smithfield. 

Smithfield’s donation will go towards a “Smithfield Foods” study room, which the library will use as a private study room space for assisting patrons who come to the library for help with job applications. 

Other areas of the library renovation will include additional study and conference rooms, an enclosed children’s computer room, children’s STEM area and updated programming space. The project will be completed by the summer of 2025.