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Beacon receives $50,000 grant
The Beacon received a sizable boost Monday toward its effort to continue feeding Bourbon County families in need of assistance.
During a presentation Monday morning at Walmart Supercenter, 2500 S. Main, The Beacon, Inc., a local food pantry and community assistance agency, received a $50,000 contribution from the Walmart Foundation to assist with providing fresh fruits and vegetables in the sacks of food distributed to families and individuals in need.
The event included presentation of the grant to representatives of The Beacon, comments from Walmart officials, and remarks from Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. Several Walmart staff members, city and chamber officials attended the presentation.
The grant was given to the nonprofit organization through the foundation's State Giving Program.
"On behalf of The Beacon, its board members, staff and clients, we would like to express our gratitude to the Walmart Foundation for its generous grant to our organization," The Beacon Board President Lynette Westhoff said. "We are so appreciative of this gift and also for all of Walmart's ongoing community support."
Jenkins, a Republican who is running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives District 2, said she was glad to be part of the event, yet "saddened" that hunger is still a major concern.
"Walmart's State Giving Program has helped fill the gap," she said, and also commended The Beacon for its "strong leadership."
"In this weak economy, peole are worried about the price of groceries and putting food on the table," she said. "There are 46.7 million Americans dependent on food stamps today, and at 15 percent of the population, that is more than any other time in history. This is why programs like the Kansas Walmart State Giving Program are so important. It is great to see a private sector leader like Walmart working together with nonprofits, communities, associates and customers to give back and fight hunger."
Bob Eckles, executive director of The Beacon, said more than 500 families receive food assistance from the agency each month.
Eckles said the grant money must be used to add fruits and vegetables to the sacks of food it provides regularly to needy families. Before The Beacon received the grant, the organization was only able to provide food bags containing nonperishable food items, such as canned foods, bread and a little meat or a can of tuna.
The grant funds will make it possible to add some fresh fruits and vegetables to the bags this year, adding a healthy option for meals to people who are struggling financially, a news release said.
"The Walmart Foundation is very pleased to support Beacon Incorporated, and is committed to helping those in need in the communities where we serve," Walmart Market Manager Jeff Hunter said. "Through this grant, we are hopeful that residents in Bourbon County will be well-served with these healthy additions to the food bags."
Hunter said Walmart and its foundation began a $2 billion effort in 2010 to fight hunger in the U.S. through 2015. The foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives.
Eckles said he thought this may be the largest single contribution The Beacon has received since it was formed in 1985. Beacon representatives requested $30,000 in funding in its grant application and received $50,000.
"They (Walmart Foundation) are making a concentrated effort to fight hunger," he said.
The contribution to The Beacon was made possible through the Walmart Foundation's Kansas State Giving Program. Through the program, the foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S., the release said.
Over the last three years, Walmart has donated more than 4.5 million pounds of food valued at over $8 million and has donated over $1 million in cash to local Kansas hunger relief programs, the release said.
To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through Walmart Foundation State Giving Program's online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program's minimum eligibility criteria.
Additional information about the program's funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.