The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation (EHCF) announced that they are kicking off their annual Food Pantry Challenge on July 1, 2023. The goal is to raise a minimum of $24,000 to benefit local food pantries. The first $12,000 received will be matched dollar for dollar up to $12,000 due to the generosity of the same anonymous donor who helped fund the Food Pantry Challenge in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation.

“This year’s food pantry challenge will run from July 1 through the end of September with the first $12,000 raised matched dollar-for-dollar,” said Darcy Swon, Enhance Hamilton County Foundation Development Director. “Since the anonymous donor has reached out to us, together with charitable donors, we have been able to provide over $74,500 to local food pantries throughout Hamilton County. This just shows you that we are stronger in support of causes when we work together.”

To participate in the Food Pantry Challenge, donations can be sent to or dropped off at the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation, 501 Bank Street, Suite 1, Webster City, IA 50595.

Checks should be made out to the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation with the name of the food pantry to be supported listed in the memo line. If no food pantry is indicated, the donation will be split evenly among the local food pantries. Donations will be received up through October 1, 2022.

The food pantries that are supported include: Upper Des Moines Opportunity (Webster City); Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry (Webster City); St. Paul Lutheran Church Food Pantry (Webster City); Asbury/ACE Food Pantry (Webster City); The Lord’s Cupboard/Bethesda Lutheran Church (Jewell); and the Stratford Food Pantry (Stratford).

For more information on the Food Pantry Challenge or on the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation, please feel free to contact Darcy Swon, Development Director, at 515-835-0437, or at dswon@enhancehamiltoncounty.org.

The mission of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, the Foundation will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.