Take a Bow Leavenworth

A few weeks back I wrote an article asking if Leavenworth had lost its mojo. Clearly, I was at least a little premature.

On March 20, Leavenworth Rotary issued a challenge by offering to match the first $15,000 in contributions in support of Upper Valley MEND (Meeting Every Need with Dignity). The Echo chimed in to support the effort by putting a notice on the front page of the March 25 issue.

The Echo goes to press on Monday afternoon. But by the time we had sent off the final proof to our printer, the good folks at MEND called to say they had already received $15,000 in donations from the community.

MEND director, Kaylan Bettinger, was ecstatic to report that they now had $30,000 in contributions to support their efforts to keep the food bank stocked and have money to help those in need during the difficult time.

But wait! It gets better. Before the ink was dry on the Echo’s March 25 edition two anonymous donors raised the stakes by pledging to match the next $20,000 in contributions. By Friday Morning, March 27, the community had met the $20,000 challenge. So as of Friday, the cupboard has a $70,000 purse to meet the needs of those who are most heavily impacted by the Corona Virus Epidemic.

Bettinger says she believes this has been the biggest fundraising project MEND has ever completed.

The problem is the money keeps coming in. I may not be matched, but there are still people who want to support those in need in our community.

It has been said that this crisis too will pass. But for many in our community Upper Valley MEND is a lifeline that will be needed to help them get through the next few months. If you have been thinking about making a contribution, it’s not too late.