The Benefits of Commodity Gifting

Peace of Mind, Redefined

By 7017444915 • March 26, 2026
There is a certain kind of peace that comes when you know someone you love is safe. One mother, Jeanelle Stokes, shared that before Smart Living, there was always a quiet tension. Even when things were going well, that lingering question remained: What if something happens when no one is right there? At Hope Haven, we believe safety and independence should not compete with one another. They should work together. That belief is what led to the development of Smart Living. Smart Living blends personalized technology, remote support, and in-person care to help individuals live more independently while maintaining a dependable safety net. From our Remote Support Center in Spirit Lake, trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, ready to respond when assistance is needed. Jeanelle put it simply: “I don’t feel like I have to hover anymore. I know someone is there if he needs help.” Homes are equipped with thoughtfully selected tools such as motion sensors, wearable devices, secure video connections, and interactive reminders, all tailored to the member’s individual needs. These tools aren’t designed to replace care, but to enhance it. For Jeanelle’s son Jerrod, constant staff presence was increasing his anxiety. When part of his support transitioned to remote monitoring, there was a noticeable change. Within days, he began reaching out just to say, “Hi, I’m okay.” With that change, he had more space while still knowing support was just a call away. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord himself watches over you.” - Psalm 121:5 Smart Living reflects that same premise of watchful care, encouraging independence while still keeping support within reach. As this initiative expands, more individuals will have the opportunity to live confidently in their own homes, and more families will experience the peace that comes from knowing help is always near. Your generosity makes that growth possible. It allows us to expand Smart Living into more homes, strengthen our Remote Support Center, and ensure that independence is never separated from safety. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and partnership in Hope Haven’s mission.
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Benefit Auction

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As harvest time approaches, we kindly ask you to prayerfully consider a commodity gift from your fields or barns to benefit the people we support through the ministries of Hope Haven. Through abundant generosity, over $10,000  was raised through gifts like corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs, and hay this past year.  This successful program enables those who produce crops, grains, and livestock to better support ministries like Hope Haven directly from their yield.

A farm commodity, presented to Hope Haven as a gift, may present a special opportunity to make a donation and reduce your taxes if you are an
operating, materially participating farmer (this arrangement does not apply to a crop-share land-lord). Grain, hay, and livestock are the most common types of commodity gifts. Since your donation is made prior to recording commodities as income, you can increase your giving to a worthy cause while possibly providing income tax benefits to you and your family.  

How to give a commodity gift:  When you deliver your commodity, inform the livestock buyer or grain elevator that you would like to designate it as a donation to Hope Haven.

How this work?

  • When you decide you want to donate through this program, we ask that you sell the commodity for us, acting as our agent. The check can be addressed to: Hope Haven Foundation 1800 19th Street, P.O. Box 70 Rock Valley, IA 51247
  • Please have the buyer enclose the following item with the checks: a scale ticket, auction receipt, or any other documentation of the transaction (quantity and condition of the commodity, name of the agent who delivered the gift on our behalf, etc.
  • Upon receipt of the proceeds, we will inform you that the transaction was completed.
  • A charitable deduction is not to be claimed for this donation because the reduction in income fully accounts for the gift.
  • The proceeds from your gift will be used to enhance our ministries and services.
  • Your own financial tax advisor should be consulted to determine how this gift applies to your particular circumstances.

How can donating a commodity gift change the lives of people  with disabilities? Through your donation, you participate in our ministries,  offering dignity and hope to people with disabilities locally and around the  world as they strive to reach their God-given potential.

As always, we advise that you consult with  your financial advisor to determine how this program can best benefit you and  your operation. For further questions, please contact Scott Koedam at 712.476.2820 or skoedam@hopehaven.org so that he may  discuss the giving options that will work best for you . We thank you for your support and consideration for our  Commodity Gift Program.

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