The rumor is true.
An anonymous donor is partnering with the California Nutrition Center (CNC) to match donations up to $15,000, kickstarting the center's Special Donation Season.
The center will also host fundraisers while also giving back with and a health fair.
Kim Drummond, center administrator, said the anonymous donor agreed to match donations up to $15,000. Donors wishing to have their donation matched must write "matching fund" in the check memo or inform a CNC staff member when dropping off in-person donations. Donations will be matched through Dec. 15.
Drummond explained the donor is a regular supporter of the center. Vickie Schroeder, a CNC board member, said the donor received the idea for matching funds when he overheard center staff discussing funding concerns.
"He was throwing the idea (of matching donations) around and kind of got us used to the idea," Schroeder said. "There was never any definition, we didn't know if the fundraisers we'd started having until now counted or what, but it's donations. It's not fundraising, it's got to be donations."
Rising prices are challenging the center. Drummond and Schroeder said the center is paying more for raw food, insurance and home-bound meals, among other things. Even with a partnership with Aging Best, who supplements thier CNC budget with federal and state dollars, every dollar has to be stretched. The center has an agreement with Aging Best, who provides labor and raw food in exchange for use of the facility. When the CNC's budget with Aging Best is expended, the center must pay for its own food.
Drummond said the center has to raise at least $100,000 per year to keep it operational. She said the matching program would better help the center meet costs.
"We do have very generous supporters," she said. "Every year we feel very blessed at the number of people in the community who step up and donate to keep the center going and operating. It's a very important place to so many of us."
In addition to the matching program, Drummond said the center will be entering its Special Donation Season with an annual event: the walk-a-thon. She said anybody can come to the event and walk laps around the perimeter of the building. The event will be hosted 8-10 a.m. Friday at the CNC.
During the walk-a-thon, individuals and businesses can make a donation and have a paper "shoe" cut-out with their name posted on a bulletin board in the center. (Donation amounts are not listed.) Donations made during the walk-a-thon can be matched. All matched donations made before Dec. 15 will be listed on the board with a "shoe."
The center will host "An Evening of Dinner & Entertainment" at 6 p.m. Oct. 15. For $12.50, guests can be entertained with the "Not-So-New Newlywed Game," a spin-off of the classic game show "The Newlywed Game," while dining on a pulled-pork dinner. Sides (baked beans, coleslaw, bread) and dessert will also be served. The game will feature couples Robert Zimmerman and Janet Carter, Kelley and Bonnie Shoemaker, and Dan and Carol Mesey. The center is still looking for a fourth couple. Charlie Roll will be emcee for the event.
In addition to fundraising, the CNC will host the Check Into Your Health Fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 14 at the center. The event, co-sponsored by Central Missouri Community Action and NurseServ, LLC, will feature health screenings, fitness and nutrition information, and more. The Moniteau County Health Department will also be on site. Drummond said anyone is welcome to join the free event.
The CNC will also assist people enrolling in Medicare Part D from Oct. 15-Dec. 7.
To learn more, contact the CNC by calling 573-796-4240 during business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Drop off donations during business hours at the center, 107 W. Versailles Ave., or mail to: California Nutrition Center, 107 W. Versailles Ave., California, Missouri 65018. Don't forget to include "matching fund" on the memo if you wish to have your donation matched.
Correction: The original version of this story mentioned the California Nutrition Center was paying more for the payroll. Kim Drummond, center administrator, said Aging Best pays for payroll at the facility.