Under normal circumstances, the Feinstein Challenge to benefit Emporia’s Abundant Harvest and Rescue Mission would be the only fundraiser underway for the two agencies.
This year, though, the fundraiser is taking place simultaneously with another fundraiser to renovate Abundant Harvest. Director Lee Alderman highlighted the difference between the two fundraisers on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia recently.
The Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to $65,000, which can include money or nonperishable food at the rate of $1 an item. Alderman says those funds are earmarked for operational expenses like utilities and building maintenance.
The list of renovations needed at Abundant Harvest is long, with projects including a paved parking lot and front driveway, new awning, new windows, electrical upgrades and plumbing upgrades. Alderman says the nearly 80-year-old building needs about $575,000 in renovations. The project was announced early last month with the goal of wrapping up fundraising by now, but the recent push to finalize city approval for the Rescue Mission’s move to the former Amend Girl Scout Center caused administrators to delay the Abundant Harvest fundraising effort.
Feinstein Challenge funds can be sent to PO Box 901 in Emporia. People wanting to donate to the Abundant Harvest renovations are encouraged to call the Emporia Community Foundation at 342-9304 or go online to www.emporiacf.org to donate.
