Leaders of the effort to bring a Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center to Green Bay, WI announced in January that the local fundraising effort had reached its goal of $7.5 million. The fundraising campaign was one of the requirements for the Green Bay Salvation Army to receive a $30 million grant to construct and operate a Kroc Center.

Smithfield Beef Group, which is headquartered in Green Bay, provided a major boost to the fundraising efforts by offering to donate 14 acres of land along Lime Kiln Road.

"Successfully completing the local fundraising effort takes us another important step toward approval and completion of this wonderful project," said Jack Meng, who chaired the Kroc Center endowment campaign along with his wife, Inky.

The project is now awaiting a final decision from The Salvation Army's Territorial Headquarters in Chicago, which should come in the next few months. If approved, The Green Bay Salvation Army will receive a 4-to-1 matching grant that will provide $15 million for construction of the center and $15 million to create an endowment fund for the operation of the facility.

The project undoubtedly could not have been completed without the generous donation of Smithfield Beef Group and its president, Rich Vesta. Organizers of the campaign voiced their appreciation to the company.

"To have Rich Vesta come forward and offer this land was a tremendous boost for the Kroc Center project," said Meng.

"The community has really come together with the involvement of many people from many organizations," added Major Bob Fay of the Green Bay Salvation Army. "We're now anxiously awaiting final approval."

The Kroc Center plans include an auditorium/worship center, classrooms, childcare center, gymnasium, fitness center, soccer field, swimming pool and ice rink.

Joan Kroc, the wife of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, left $1.5 billion from her estate to The Salvation Army to build and operate community centers in under-served areas throughout the US.