GraceWorks to partner with Thrivent for Giving Tuesday to offset cutbacks in USDA perishable foods
GraceWorks announces a first-ever partnership for Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, with Thrivent to offset drastic cutbacks in USDA perishable foods.
Thrivent, a financial services company, will match 50 cents of each dollar up to $20,000 contributed during Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29. Thrivent’s gift would amount to $10,000 to help GraceWorks purchase eggs, milk and butter whose supply has been dramatically cut from USDA.
“Continuing to provide these items is vital for our Neighbors,” said GraceWorks CEO Valencia A. Breckenridge. “But the unanticipated loss of USDA products means GraceWorks must now purchase these items on our own. We are so excited to have this amazing partnership with Thrivent in meeting this critical need.”
It will cost GraceWorks $12.55 per family to add butter, milk and eggs to monthly shopping carts full of groceries. Serving 1,000 families a month with food, GraceWorks hopes to raise $50,200 to purchase these items for four months.
Filling the USDA gap is not the only food challenge GraceWorks faces. Currently food requests are up 89% over this time last year. Last year, filling each food cart cost $16.49, thanks to donations of food and cash, our partnership with Second Harvest and rescue food from local groceries. With rising food costs as well as USDA losses, the current cost is $42.29 for a cart of food that would retail for about $355.
“We are asking our always generous community to help us on Giving Tuesday to meet these extra expenses,” Breckenridge said. “We invite our community to sponsor one or more egg, milk and butter bundles for families in need.”
In addition to its matching funds, Thrivent will pay for the cost of credit card processing, which will provide even more funds to purchase the needed perishables. Thrivent will host a giving link on its website as well as promoting donation opportunities to their network.
Give at www.graceworksministries.net/GivingTuesday
GraceWorks is a Christ-centered nonprofit community resource center. For 27 years, it has provided Food, Shelter and Support for Neighbors in need.
