Austin Area Foundation made a donation of $1,000 this week to help stock the food shelf of the Salvation Army from the community foundation’s new Basic Needs Endowment fund.  The fund was established so the foundation could help area organizations when emergencies or unexpected needs arise.

“This donation is awesome. It comes at a time when we have six areas on our food shelf that are empty and it will enable us to fill those spaces,” said Lori Espe, social services director for the Salvation Army, in a press release. “Donations are fewer this time of year and we badly needed this help.”

The “Basic Needs” endowment fund was created for just this purpose, developed in response to the economic downturn of recent years as a means to provide support to the community through local nonprofits.  When providing food, shelter and other basic needs exceeds their own budget and capabilities, Austin Area Foundation plans to — through the Basic Needs Endowment Fund — provide that added financial support to help organizations where needed.

“The Salvation Army needed help in filling the many missing food items on their shelves and we at the Austin Area Foundation felt compelled to initiate financial help,” said Jeff Baldus, executive director of Austin Area Foundation, in a press release. “These funds come from our newly established ‘Basic Needs Fund’ to help local nonprofits meet the growing needs of the community.”

The Basic Needs Endowment fund was established in 2014.  Donations to the Austin Area Foundation are tax deductible and may be mailed to AAF, 110 First Ave. SE, Suite 6, Austin, MN 55912.