The Second Harvest Community food bank announced Monday that is has received official accreditation from the Better Business Bureau making it the first Non-Profit organization in Northwest Missouri to receive that approval.

The food bank said in a news release that it is now an official BBB accredited Charity meeting the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards.

“We are excited that Second Harvest is the first Better Business Bureau accredited charity in the St. Joseph area,” said Chad Higdon, executive director. “The Better Business Bureau accreditation is an honor, and we are pleased to announce we have met these high standards to help provide trust and confidence for our donors, partner agencies and members who depend on us for services.”

Higdon says Second Harvest participated in the voluntary program because it believes in the importance of accountability and transparency for a non-profit organization. By being evaluated by BBB’s Charity Review Program, Second Harvest allowed an outside, third-party to take an objective look at the organization. The Standards for Charity Accountability examine a charity’s governance and oversight by its board of directors, how the organization measures its effectiveness in achieving its mission, its finances, and its fundraising and informational materials.

“BBB’s Accredited Charity seal provides a clear, concise way to communicate to existing and potential donors and clients Second Harvest’s status as part of a select group of charities in the community that adhere to BBB’s strong and comprehensive standards,” says Higdon.

Second Harvest serves 19 counties in Northwest and Northeast Kansas:

Missouri

· Andrew County

· Atchison County

· Buchanan County

· Caldwell County

· Clinton County

· Daviess County

· DeKalb County

· Gentry County

· Grundy County

· Harrison County

· Holt County

· Livingston County

· Mercer County

· Nodaway County

· Worth County

Kansas

· Atchison County

· Brown County

· Doniphan County

· Leavenworth County