GRIDLEY -- Jeremy Zobrist wants to make a difference. "God's blessed me with some unique talents," said Zobrist, president and chief operating officer of Watershed Foods of Gridley. "I believe there is a unique purpose for everybody. I believe everyone has a responsibility to give back."

For Zobrist, that means making Watershed Foods so successful that it can help finance the operating expenses of Lifesong for Orphans, a not-for-profit organization that helps orphanages in four countries and offers financial help to couples adopting children.

Watershed Foods freeze-dries fruit for about 20 customers, including Kellogg's, the famous cereal company. Watershed, whose 20 or so Gridley plant workers produce about 5 million pounds of fruit a year, is one of just a few U.S. companies that produce freeze-dried fruit.

The company was started by Gary Ringger in 2003 with some of the proceeds from the sale of another Ringger-owned company to Kerry Foods, an international food ingredient company.

The rest of the proceeds were used to start The Manna Group that includes a foundation that covers the operational and staff expenses for Lifesong for Orphans.

Zobrist, who had been Ringger's certified public accountant, joined Watershed as its president in 2005. He later became a majority owner and last year the full owner - with an agreement that 80 percent of the company would go into a trust for Lifesong.

"There are a ton of great causes, great missions …," Zobrist said. "There's something special about kids and trying to change the cycle of hopelessness into hope; the cycle of orphans having orphans. It's an opportunity to make a difference."

Watershed foods is well on its way to helping the effort.

In January, Zobrist received a $400,000 loan from the McLean County Revolving Loan Fund to help finance another dryer for the company to meet the growing demand of its clients.

According to information filed with the loan application, the expected increased work load could lead to 80 more jobs at Watershed by 2012.