Kraft challenge aids fund drive for Parents in Partnership

$100,000 pledge to fund-raising efforts'

NEW ULM -- Kraft Foods, based in Northfield, Ill. recently pledged $100,000 to Parents in Partnership (PIP) in New Ulm, boosting its efforts to raise funds for a new child care center. Kraft's plant in New Ulm is one of the area's largest employers.

The grant from Kraft is contingent upon the child care center fund-raising campaign reaching $1.2 million in pledges over the next year -- 85 percent of its goal. Kraft has also stipulated that the grant be used specifically for program development and training expenses necessary to prepare the center for the state license inspection and for subsequent operation of the center -- not for construction costs or building materials.

"This is terrific news," said Dana O'Brien, Treasurer of PIP. "We hope the Kraft grant will be only the beginning, and that other New Ulm employers will also pledge financial support. We are excited that Kraft clearly sees the business benefit of available high-quality child care options."

New Ulm has historically offered few options for working parents seeking child care. Parents in Partnership, a non-profit organization seeking to change this, point to national surveys showing that lack of available child care can be demonstrated to have a significant direct cost to businesses in communities like New Ulm., through higher rates of turnover, recruitment difficulties, absenteeism and employee stress, affecting productivity

"I am personally delighted about this grant, which will help fulfill a real business need for our plant," said Sharron Moss-Higham, regional Manufacturing Director and Plant Manager for Kraft-New Ulm. She pointed to the Kraft plant's internal employee satisfaction survey that identified inadequate child care options as a major problem for employees. "There simply aren't enough options to meet our employees' needs. This often makes it impossible for employees to arrange safe and supportive care for young children. It also diminishes our ability to attract talented managers to New Ulm. We believe that Parents in Partnership will be able to grow and evolve to a comprehensive service that meets the needs of the greater New Ulm community."

Parents In Partnership, established in November 1999, has developed a comprehensive business plan for a child care center that will provide services for eight infants, 14 toddlers, 43 preschoolers and 28 school age children. It will offer 12.5 hours of operation initially (5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.); full-time, part-time and drop-in care; and before- and after-school care, with transportation provided. Eventually, extended hours will be added, starting with evening and weekend availability and possibly including overnight care, if demand warrants.

To date, Parents in Partnership Campaign for Kids and Community has received confirmed pledges of $180,000; applied for grants requesting a total of $324,000; have conducted solicitation meetings requesting a total of $255,000; and have plans to conduct additional solicitation meetings requesting $536,000 and have general fund-raising plans that have identified additional grants and a direct mail campaign.

In addition, an application has been submitted to the USDA Department of Rural Development for long-term financing to support the project construction timeline and outstanding pledges. A building site has been secured with an option agreement with the New Ulm Diocese for a 4-acre parcel on the comer of County Highway 27 and North Highland. Preliminary building design and exterior elevation are on display at the Chamber Offices located at the corner of Center and Minnesota. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Parents in Partnership office at 507-354-9021.