ST. LOUIS, April 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the St. Louis community works to assess damages and initialize clean-up efforts following the devastating storms that hit the area on Friday evening, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) pledges $100,000 to the American Red Cross to aid in early relief efforts.

Monsanto's donation is expected to support the agency in local efforts related to the storm and provide the agency with additional flexibility as the community works to complete the assessment and clean-up process for individuals affected for this storm. The donation is also expected to support the agency's efforts in advance of the upcoming storm season.

"St. Louis is our home and we're doing our part to help our friends and neighbors begin the clean-up and rebuilding efforts," said Jan Holloway, Senior Vice President of Community Relations for Monsanto. "We're so thankful there were minimal injuries and we believe this pledge to the Red Cross can provide the agency with an initial boost to help more quickly advance their relief efforts."

"This early gift from Monsanto is just one example of the incredible community spirit and resiliency that is a hallmark of the Greater St. Louis Community," said Cindy Erickson, Regional Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Bi-State Chapter. "As we are assessing the needs and determining how best to help, we'd ask other companies and individuals to consider helping in early relief efforts as well."

Monsanto Company has a long-standing history in the St. Louis region. The company's headquarters are based in Creve Coeur, MO., and its research headquarters are based in Chesterfield, MO. The company employs approximately 4,100 people throughout the St. Louis community.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:

Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 94 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 373,000 times each year. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a proud United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, and 43 surrounding counties in Missouri and Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: www.monsanto.com.  Follow our business on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

Contact:
Darren Wallis, Monsanto Company (314-452-4344)
Jessica Willingham, Red Cross (314-406-1920)

SOURCE Monsanto Company