Big donation
A substantial donation from Fanestil Meats in Emporia has moved the Abundant Harvest soup kitchen and the Emporia Rescue Mission closer to its fundraising goal.
The company presented $10,000 to Lee Alderman, executive director of Emporia Rescue Mission and Abundant Harvest, on Friday.
Alderman said the donation came in response to an editorial in last Thursday’s Gazette by Ashley Walker, detailing the needs of the organization.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Alderman said. “That’s why Ashley wrote it.”
According to Alderman, donations at the organizations are currently down 30 percent. The ministries have until April 30 to qualify for a matching grant of $40,000 from Alan Shawn Feinstein’s annual $1 Million Giveaway. Food donations can be counted toward the match.
Alderman’s hope is that this donation will set the momentum for the fundraising campaign, and on Friday alone he was able to collect an additional $1,000. He also is encouraging donors to challenge people to help with the campaign.
“We’re already at $11,000 and we’re rolling,” Alderman said.
On Saturday, Messiah Lutheran Church in Emporia will serve pancakes and biscuits and gravy from 7 to 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall, 1101 Neosho St. An offering will be taken, which will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and donated to the campaign for the soup kitchen and rescue mission.