A tiny Wyandotte County charity is participating in the Bill and Melinda Gates fundraiser on Facebook today, trying to raise $1,000 in one day that will be matched.
In 2.5 hours this afternoon, the Reola Grant Center, which provides a food pantry in Kansas City, Kan., has raised nearly $600 in donations online, said Janice Witt, CEO.
She said the foundation is matching funds up to $1,000 for 500 organizations nationwide, giving away $500,000 today only. Today is national Giving Tuesday.
Witt said some of her donors today are some of the people who received food donations through the year. Many are giving very small amounts, such as $1 or $2.
“What we’re about, we’re teaching people to be givers, your pennies can make a difference for somebody,” Witt said.
Besides the small amounts, the organization also received some donations in the hundreds, she added.
“I am blown away that we were given this offer,” Witt said, adding that she was very happy. “We’re tiny. For us to pull $1,000 out of our hat in six to eight hours is a big deal. That might as well be a million dollars for us.”
The Reola Grant Center’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/donate/1367880469921155/10153923656255723/