The Second Harvest Community Food Bank kicked off its 2017 fundraising campaign Wednesday.

The food bank’s 2017 goal was announced during a kick-off at the Benton Club. Michelle Fagerstone, Second Harvest Dir. of Communications said this year’s goal is to raise $650,000.

“We had two anonymous donors that had pledged up to a $10,000 match for all donations that were contributed at the luncheon today. We had over $20,000 donated at the luncheon,” Fagerstone said. “That $20,000 is actually going to turn into $40,000.”

She said the campaign will run through May 31st. Funds raised will go to help individuals struggling with food insecurities in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

“.96 cents of every dollar that is raised goes directly to food distribution and food programming,” Fagerstone said.

According to Second Harvest’s annual report in 2016, 350,588 people were served in its service territory.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the food bank or to donate.