(KNZA)--Marel and Wenger Manufacturing officials have announced the creation of a philanthropic charitable fund.

The announcement was made at the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation's Community Celebration Gala Saturday evening.

According to a release from the Foundation, the Wenger Marel Charitable Fund will support sustainable development and community investment the following areas : 1) Reading and STEM Education, 2) Food, Nutrition and Water and 3) Community Support. This statement on their website emphasizes their philosophy: “Through partnership, Marel aims to empower external organizations, our customers and employees to support the communities in which we operate.”

As part of the acquisition of Wenger Manufacturing last year, Marel proposed a philanthropic commitment of $4 million. An agreement between Marel executives, the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation and Greater Manhattan Community Foundation was finalized to create the charitable fund. An executive board will be formed to administer grants from the fund to the Sabetha community and other communities where Wenger has an industrial and employment presence.

The announcement was made by Wenger Marel executives, Paul Wenger and Jesper Hjortshoj. Hjortshoj spoke to the community who were present and said, “We are very proud stewards of the Wenger legacy. I have known the company for many years, and I have admired the company for many years. We always admired Wenger, but we never really got it. How can you build the world- center for this type of technology in northeast Kansas? Now I tell the 8,000 people who work for Marel, why is Wenger so special? It is what you talk about here. It is a community where people support each other. Where they support businesses that are here, families that are here. And that is why we, as part of the process of the acquisition of Wenger, decided to donate $4 million that will be managed by the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation for the good of the community.”