The Columbia-based Veterans United (VU) Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.
It’s aimed at food insecurity and hunger in the food bank’s 32-county service area. Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri president Lindsay Lopez tells 939 the Eagle that it’s an incredible donation:
“Veterans United really sets the standard for philanthropy, for commitment, for service to the community. And we are so incredibly grateful that they choose to partner with us in this really important work that we do,” says Lopez.
It’s the largest single grant the food bank has ever received from the VU Foundation. Lopez says grant funds will likely be used for food acquisition and distribution, especially in their service area’s most rural areas.
Hungry seniors, families and residents in 32 counties in central and northeast Missouri will receive a much-needed boost with the donation from the VU Foundation. Foundation board member Nate Johnson tells 939 the Eagle that the VU Foundation is employee-funded:
“Where nearly 90 percent of our employees give part of their paycheck every two weeks. And then as a board we take their feedback into account. And we sort of ask them what would they like to contribute to. And causes like this are always at the top of the list,” Johnson says.
Mr. Johnson says they are continually inspired by the food bank’s team and the hope they provide to families, seniors and children across the region.