Paynesville, Minn. — Officials from the Paynesville Area Community Foundation (PACF) gathered at the Paynesville Community Service Center this past Friday to celebrate a major victory for local food security, presenting a check for $10,214.84 to the local food shelf.
The presentation marked the conclusion of a matching challenge launched in November. Initially, PACF pledged to match community donations dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000, setting a total fundraising goal of $6,000. The community response, however, far exceeded expectations.
“We set a goal to cover two months of operating costs for the food shelf, hoping to raise $6,000,” said Amanda Raisanen, Executive Director of PACF. “To stand here today and hand over a check for more than $10,000 is incredible. It is a testament to the generosity of the individuals, businesses, and organizations in this town who refused to let their neighbors go hungry.”
The campaign was originally sparked by a temporary disruption in federal SNAP benefits and a subsequent 110 percent rise in demand at the food shelf.
According to Service Center data, the average monthly cost to stock the shelves is approximately $3,000. With the final tally exceeding $10,000, this campaign has secured more than three full months of food and essential supplies for the community.
“Receiving this check today lifts a heavy weight off our shoulders,” said Allison Janssen, director of the Paynesville Community Service Center. “The holidays are over, but winter expenses like heating bills are still high for the families we serve. This funding ensures we can keep our shelves stocked and our doors open without hesitation through the coldest months of the year.”
The final total reflects contributions from across the Paynesville area, ranging from small individual gifts to larger donations from local civic groups.
“We are incredibly grateful for every single dollar donated,” added Janssen. “Because of this match campaign, the community has provided a safety net for hundreds of residents.”
The Paynesville Area Community Foundation (PACF) attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 2008, PACF grown to over $9.7 million in assets and awarded over $1.5 million in grants to the community. The PACF is governed by a local board and is a partner foundation of CommunityGiving, a network of community foundations united to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of donors. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 1,300 funds totaling over $283 million in assets. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Paynesville.
