A little over a quarter of the way toward reaching their $2 million goal to build a town center for St. John’s at Fountain Lake, the organization’s fundraising committee has announced a new way people can give back.

Under a grain stewardship program, farmers can donate extra grain instead of cash toward the project.

“It’s a convenient way to give,” said Tim Allison, owner of Farm Front Futures LLC., who is acting as the grain manager for the project. “Many farmers already gift grain to their church.”

To take part in the program, farmers can essentially deposit grain into the name of St. John’s, and then whatever the grain sells for comes back to St. John’s.

“Even though farm prices are low, there’s an abundance of crop,” said Dianne Wichmann of St. John’s Lutheran Community. “It’s a blessing to these farmers — the weather and the crop they have received. We hope people feel that blessing and are encouraged to give to others.”

The program will go through the tax season.

The town center will be the connection between the independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing buildings at St. John’s on Fountain Lake.

It will include a chapel, a therapy and fitness center, a coffee shop and cafe, a library and technology center, a barbershop and beauty shop, a store, and a club and game room.

Because the town center does not produce revenue, about half of the town center is being fundraised to make it a reality.

Retired pastor Joel Erickson, who is the chairman for the steering committee, said he is reaching out to people in congregations across the community to encourage them to get involved.

St. John’s Lutheran Community originally formed through a network of 28 congregations who desired to create a home for people when they could no longer care for themselves. The facility opened in 1962.

Now, more than 50 years later, the organization is landlocked, and the need for additional senior living options is rising as baby boomers are beginning to retire.

The senior living community is being built on 52 acres of the former Albert Lea Country Club, which overlooks Edgewater Bay. Erickson said the rates will be competitive with other area care centers.

The retirement community will have 83 units for skilled care, 40 independent-living apartments and 32 assisted living units. They all include private rooms and private baths.

The complex will be surrounded by owner-occupied duplexes.

He said he is impressed with the vision for the retirement community as it offers personalized care with a high quality of life.

The town center, specifically, will be a place that creates a community, where people can go to gather with others.

“It helps with the emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual and social needs of people,” he said. “Learning doesn’t stop.”

Erickson said one of the options being considered for the existing skilled-care facility is low-income senior housing once the new retirement community is built.

Wichmann said she hopes people realize that by investing into the community, they are investing into their own future.

“It feels good to give,” she said. “Any gift is important.”

People who want to give can contact Wichmann at 473-1013. Contracts and checks should be issued in the name of St. John’s Lutheran Community, 901 Luther Place, Albert Lea, MN 56007.