The Benefits of Commodity Gifting

A Place to Belong: Jon's Story

By 7017444915 • February 24, 2026
Home looks different for everyone. For Jon, home is now the place he shares with his sister, Shelly. Jon was already living in Shelly’s home when she became one of Hope Haven’s first Host Home providers. What started as a practical next step quickly grew into something far more meaningfu l. As Shelly shared, “Opening our home to Jon was a blessing we didn’t know we needed.” Through Hope Haven’s Host Home program, individuals with disabilities live in the homes of carefully selected providers who offer guidance, companionship, and everyday support. Host Homes are just one of several residential options at Hope Haven, alongside staffed community living homes, because no two individuals require the same level or style of care. What matters most is creating a place where people can live safely, grow their independence, and feel truly included. For Jon, that environment means being part of everyday family life, whether that’s grocery shopping and shared meals or being able to help with Shelly’s in-home daycare. “Living here makes me feel happy,” Jon says. For Shelly’s family, the experience has been transformative. “We’ve all become more patient and understanding,” she shares. “My boys have learned gratitude, acceptance, and what it means to truly welcome someone into your life.” That mutual impact is what makes Host Homes unique. “It doesn’t feel like a job,” Shelly explains. “It’s more of a relationship. You get to help someone feel independent, yet safe.” She was quick to add that the impact goes both ways. As she puts it, “You just might meet your best friend.” Because of supporters like you, individuals like Jon have the opportunity to live in a home where they are supported and valued — not just as clients, but as people. Your generosity makes it possible for Hope Haven to offer a range of residential supports, creating safe, stable, relationship-centered living options for individuals with disabilities right here in our communities. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 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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