2021 Charity Challenge Raises Over Half Million Dollars

January 10, 2022
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Proceeds Distributed Among Catholic Charities, Salvation Army and St. Joseph Food Shelves
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – During this season of giving, the annual Charity Challenge has raised more than $540,000, including a $100,000 match from the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation.
 
The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation in partnership with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) host the fundraiser. All proceeds of the Charity Challenge go to support Catholic Charities, St. Cloud Salvation Army and St. Joseph food shelves.
 
Carrie Abfalter is the Director of Donor Relations at CMCF. She says, “During the holiday season we see an increase in demand for food in our community, this is where the generosity of others can really make a difference to someone in need. The Charity Challenge will forever reflect our community’s values of caring for each other and appreciating our neighbors.”
 
Since the Charity Challenge began in 2000, it’s raised more than $5.4 million to support local food shelves. Greta Stark-Kraker is the Executive Director of CMCF. She says she’s thankful for the continued success of the Charity Challenge.
 
“Since Norm’s passing, it’s our hope that his legacy of giving will live on in the community. He often said the Charity Challenge was not only about meeting the match and providing food to those in need but also spreading faith, hope, love and joy. We thank our gracious donors and the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation for contributing to another successful Charity Challenge.”
 
Although the Charity Challenge has ended, donations can still be made to area food shelves throughout the year.

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1985, CMCF has grown to over $147.6 million in assets and awarded over $134.5 million in grants to non-profits.  The CMCF is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving, which is a collaborative of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors.  Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 900 funds totaling nearly $201 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/CentralMN.
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