The Woodbury Community Foundation is responding to a critical rise in food insecurity affecting families and seniors across our area. This month, the WCF Board approved a $2,500 emergency grant to Open Cupboard after a sharp increase in program usage linked to disruptions in SNAP benefits.
At the same time, we are launching a $2,500 Community Match Challenge that will be granted directly to another local food shelf partner serving our community, Basic Needs. Thanks to an early donor, the match already includes a $1,000 pledge. Any dollars raised beyond this goal will be split between Open Cupboard and Basic Needs.
As a community foundation, WCF is uniquely positioned to respond quickly when needs shift. We build long-term charitable assets that strengthen multiple organizations, not just one program. Donors can give through WCF to support the causes they care about, and we can help steward gifts in ways that create the greatest local impact.
WCF is also able to accept non-cash charitable gifts, including gifts of stock, donor-advised fund contributions, and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs. These tools allow donors to support urgent needs like food insecurity while also making the most of their charitable planning.
Basic Needs is seeing significant increases in demand from families and seniors. In the last two weeks of October alone, they saw more than a 30 percent rise in shoppers. Staff have doubled food orders through Second Harvest to keep shelves stocked. They are also launching new initiatives to deliver food directly to senior living complexes where residents struggle with transportation and rising costs.
“We are shifting to meet the most immediate needs and trying to face these challenges head on. We certainly cannot do it without community support,” said Opey Fabian, Executive Director of Basic Needs.
The Community Match Challenge runs through Give to the Max Day on November 20. Every dollar designated for the match will be directed to Basic Needs. Contributions beyond the goal will be shared by both partner organizations.
“Our community depends on all of us stepping forward,” said Christie Denson, Board Chair. “WCF can respond quickly because we are built to support the whole ecosystem of organizations serving families and seniors.”
