Monte Morris has developed into one of the top point guards in the nation for the Cyclones.
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State junior point guard Monté Morris makes an impact on the court dishing out assists. Now it’s Morris who is on the receiving end of perhaps the greatest assist he’s been given as he teams up with Hy-Vee to help his hometown of Flint, Michigan in its time of need.
Flint has been affected by a water crisis that has left the town’s water supply undrinkable and unusable. Hy-Vee, making a donation on behalf of Morris, is going to help by sending 11 semitrailers of water to those impacted.
The Iowa-based grocery store will deliver 11 trucks total, a number that matches Morris’ Iowa State jersey. Six trucks will be filled with water gallons and five more with bottled water. The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan will accept Hy-Vee’s water donation and distribute throughout the Flint community.Iowa State and Flint have a long history. Morris joined Jeff Grayer, Justus Thigpen and the late Barry Stevens in a line of Flint stars to call Ames home during their college careers.
When news of Flint’s water crisis became a national story, Morris spoke of his desire to help his hometown in any way possible.
That’s when Hy-Vee stepped up.
Hy-Vee Chairman and CEO Randy Edeker was moved after seeing a recent interview where Morris spoke about the lead-tainted water crisis that was impacting his hometown.
“Like many of us, I’ve been in tune with the events unfolding in Flint, Michigan. And last week, while watching the news I saw Monté talking about how the water crisis was affecting his hometown and his desire to do more to help,” said Hy-Vee Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker. “While we don’t have grocery stores in Michigan, we know that what’s happening in Flint has far-reaching implications. As a major grocer, we also have the resources to step up and do something. We want Monté to know that by him talking about the crisis, he’s increasing awareness and getting his hometown the help it needs.”
For Morris, it’s an act of kindness that he never imagined and will certainly never forget.
“I am so grateful to Hy-Vee for making this donation to my hometown,” Morris said. “For them to step up this way, especially in a state where they don’t have any stores, is amazing. This will have such a positive impact and I will never forget their generosity. I can’t thank Mr. Edeker and the other people at Hy-Vee enough. It speaks volumes as to what they are all about.”
