Philanthropy From the Heart of America

Valley County, not far from the center of Nebraska, seemed to be one of those Great Plains communities that was dying. From World War II to 2000 it had lost almost half its population, and the decline was gathering speed at the end of the century. The I.G.A. and Jack & Jill grocery stores closed, as did most mom and pop gas stations and the local dairy processing plant.

By DAVID LEONHARDT

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/11/business/11leonhardt.html?ei=5088&en=b122912acca66aea&ex=1318219200&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1160746966-Yqoich8sVmI2RBOUUP62kQ