SIDNEY — The Shelby County Libraries has announced they are the recipient of a $50,000 gift from Freshway Foods toward the first expansion and renovation of the Amos Memorial Public Library in more than 50 years. It is a major gift toward the expected $4.8 million construction project.

Freshway Foods has a history of local involvement in the business community, as well as a corporate vision of philanthropy in Sidney through support of charitable organizations in both financial and in-kind donations.

In announcing the partnership with Freshway Foods, Shelby County Libraries Executive Director Suzanne Cline said, “We are grateful for Freshway’s generosity. The Gilardi family is well-known to all generations of this community, and this gift becomes another part of their legacy for future generations. We respectfully accept this remarkable gift which enables us to move closer to our goal of providing for the intellectual, social, and leisure needs of our community far into the future.”

According to campaign director, Cindy Helman, “Gifts from the public, in any amount, are necessary, not only to make this vision a reality, but also to allow this building addition to become a resource the community can call its own. The gift from Freshway Foods gives a significant boost to the end stage of this campaign and is a model of giving for every segment of our population.”

All donations are accepted by the campaign. Gifts of $100 or more may be made by check to the Community Foundation of Shelby County, 100 S. Main Ave., Suite 202, Sidney, Ohio, 45365 with “library” on the memo line, or contact the foundation at 937-497-7800. All other contributions may be made at the Amos Memorial Public Library or at any of the five community library locations.

For more information about The Shelby County Libraries, visit http://shelbyco.lib.oh.us/. For more information about Freshway Foods, visit http://www.freshwayfoods.com.