The Austin Rotary Club has cancelled its Trivia Night event originally planned for tomorrow evening.

According to a letter from Austin Rotary Club member Mike Postma, the decision to cancel was based on Gov. Tim Walz’s new conference and conferring with local health experts.

“We are all very disappointed but realize that in the grand scheme of current events, this is ultimately a minor disappointment,” Postma said in the letter.

The event was to benefit the local backpack program for children experiencing hunger.

“At this time we are not automatically issuing refunds because we would like to send whatever (money) has been raised so far to these programs that were counting on us,” Postma said. “The amount sent will be after we take care of our local event host & caterers that pre-purchased food in anticipation of this event; we need to support those organizations in this difficult time as well. That said, we will gladly refund any trivia registrants that request it.”

“As for the amazing baskets that you all have donated to, we would like to donate them to the Women’s Leadership Initiative Power of the Palate event taking place on May 2 at the Austin Country Club.” he added. “This event’s sole purpose is to raise (money) for backpack programs that we were planning to support, so the (money) raised will go exactly to the same purpose. We are hopeful that by May events will be able to go forward.”

Postma said this Monday’s noon meeting is still being held.