HANNIBAL — The Riedel Foundation has awarded a $30,000 matching grant to Harvest Outreach Ministries, providing a major boost to the organization’s work serving individuals and families facing food insecurity and other hardships.
This significant award reflects the Riedel Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting Hannibal-area nonprofits that deliver essential services to the community. The matching structure of the grant is designed to double the impact of local giving, encouraging broad community participation in meeting urgent needs.
To help fulfill the match, Harvest Outreach Ministries will host a fundraising auction on Saturday, Sept. 19, at American Legion Post 55, 3819 Highway MM. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the auction beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature both silent and live auction items, with Dale Delaporte serving as auctioneer. Concessions will be available, and the event is open to the public.
Larry Hinds, director of Harvest Outreach Ministries, expressed deep appreciation for the Foundation’s support. “We are incredibly grateful to the Riedel Foundation for believing in the work of Harvest Outreach Ministries and for providing this generous matching grant,” Hinds said. “These funds will help cover the cost of food for our Loaves and Fishes program, allowing us to continue providing free hot meals to people in our community who are struggling or simply in need of some additional food for the weekend. Every dollar raised through this auction will have twice the impact, and that is an incredible opportunity for our community to come together and make a real difference.”
Harvest Outreach Ministries is currently accepting donations of items for both the silent and live auctions. Businesses, churches, civic groups, organizations and individuals are encouraged to contribute.
Organizers noted the unique opportunity created by the Foundation’s award: “Every item donated will be auctioned, and the dollars raised from those bids will be matched by the Riedel Foundation, up to the $30,000 grant amount. This is a chance for people to make their donation go twice as far.”
Harvest Outreach Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting community needs. Its programs support individuals dealing with substance abuse and recovery while also addressing hunger through its Loaves and Fishes program, which provides free hot meals Monday through Friday and distributes weekend food boxes each Friday.