For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Feeding Our Communities with United Services (FOCUS) has received an additional $20,000 matching gift grant from an anonymous donor.

FOCUS announced in mid-July its capital campaign to raise funds for relocating to West Grand Avenue so that its services can all be under one roof. The services of FOCUS include the South Wood Emerging Pantry Shelf, The Neighborhood Table and Rapids Family Backpacks. Along with that announcement, was the dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $125,000 from Connexus Credit Union’s philanthropic program known as Connexus Cares.

“The anonymous donor’s intent for the challenge grant is to inspire more supporters to get involved, targeting those who have not contributed to the FOCUS organization or its services within the last five years,” a FOCUS release stated.

Mary Schultz, chair of the FOCUS Fundraising Committee, said that donations from new donors will not only be matched by the Connexus Cares grant, they will also be matched by the anonymous donor’s grant tripling the effect of their donations on the campaign.

“The donor has also approved donations already received from new donors will be included in this challenge grant,” she said.

Donors are invited to show their support of the FOCUS relocation project and capital campaign by sending their tax-deductible contributions to FOCUS on the Future, 2511 Eighth St. South, No. 242, Wisconsin Rapids, WI,  54494, or visit www.FOCUSofSWC.org to donate electronically.