Junior Auxiliary fundraiser benefits a second nonprofit

A fundraiser for one area nonprofit organization also benefited a second help agency, due to the generosity of a community member.

The Junior Auxiliary of Taney County recently held their annual Grocery Grab at Rhodes Family Price Chopper in Branson.

Tickets to the event were sold for $20 and first, second and third place winners were announced during a Facebook Live on August 25.

Keith Wall, DDS, of Teeth by Keith, was the recipient of the first-place prize, a four-minute Grocery Grab at Rhodes Family Price Chopper. Wall generously donated his first-place prize to Christian Action Ministries, a local food pantry that helps meet the needs of those suffering from food insecurity in our area.  

Laney Tatro, Assistant Director of CAM and Elizabeth Haynie, Neighbor2Neighbor Coordinator, represented CAM at the Grocery Grab event, which was held on August 27. Haynie was the designated shopper during the event, and planned her trip through the store in advance, so she could quickly grab items most needed by CAM.

When the Grocery Grab began, Haynie raced to the diaper aisle, filling a cart with necessities before running back to the front of the store for another cart. The second cart was loaded with food items such as meats, pasta and sauce, cereal, pancake mix, syrup and more. The two baskets contained $1,044.13 in items to benefit members of the community.

In addition to receiving the first-place prize, Wall was also the recipient of the third-place prize, a $50 gift card donated by Rhodes Family Price Chopper, that he also donated to CAM. Cat Gianotti was the winner of the second-place prize, a $100 gift card to Rhodes Family Price Chopper.

This marked the fourth year that JATC has held the Grocery Grab fundraiser and the second that the grocery winner generously donated their prize to Christian Action Ministries,

"What a blessing to have been a part of this exciting event for a second year," said Tatro. "We had so much fun and were able to collect so many necessities for our neighbors. Thank you so much to Junior Auxiliary of Taney County for a wonderful event, Rhodes Family Price Chopper for hosting the event, and to Keith Wall for your incredible generosity and support. We are so thankful to have partners who love serving their community."

A representative from Dr. Wall's office noted, "We are pleased that there are organizations that bring awareness to the needs of the people in our area and fight the good fight daily."        

The Grocery Grab is one of the largest fundraisers for the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, a group of approximately 50 women who work diligently to improve the mental, physical, social and emotional well-being of children throughout the county,

The Junior Auxiliary of Taney County wishes to thank Rhodes Family Price Chopper, Doug Baker State Farm Insurance, the Missouri Foundation for Health and everyone who purchased tickets for the Grocery Grab. Your kindness and help made this event a huge success.