Local non-profits encourage community to donate during 2022 Panhandle Gives

Amarillo and the surrounding area is often known for its philanthropic contributions to the community. This love and desire to support each other led to the creation of Panhandle Gives.

The 2022 Panhandle Gives Campaign, coordinated by the Amarillo Area Foundation (AAF), will begin Monday, Nov. 21 and end on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29.

"Panhandle Gives is a nine-day generosity campaign aimed at bolstering philanthropic donations for organizations across the Panhandle," said Broc Carter, Director of Marketing & The Panhandle Gives Campaign. "Many nonprofit organizations work tirelessly across our region, often, to help the most vulnerable people in our community."

During the event, any non-profit eligible to receive a grant from AAF qualifies to register for participation. According to the campaign, 100% of all donations raised by the organizations are kept. In addition, each participating organization that raises at least $250 during the campaign also receives a percentage match of the total amount raised as a part of the campaign's Amplification Fund.

The Amplification Fund is made up of money given from foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors and was established by AAF to amplify the amount of money participating organizations receive during the campaign.

For their first time, the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon will join the Amplification Fund as a sponsor. According to Honnah Taylor, Marketing and Communications Director for United Way of Amarillo and Canyon, the organization will match the funds raised by participating non-profits in the Potter and Randall County area.

"This is our first year to participate on this side of the campaign, and we are excited the become a sponsor this year for the Amplification Fund. We as United Way are all about the ease of giving, and we are proud to partner with Panhandle Gives. This is a wonderful vehicle for the service network we believe in for our community," Taylor said.

In 2021, the campaign was able to raise $5,169,904. With the 2022 campaign, Panhandle Gives hopes to raise $5.2 million for participating area non-profits. Carter stated that although this is what they hope to receive, any and all contributions are greatly appreciated and positively impact and benefit the community.

The proceeds raised will benefit 214 non-profit organizations, which represent 26 counties across the Texas Panhandle.

"The Texas Panhandle has always been a generous community, and that includes all the surrounding towns. When we come together as communities, it's really incredible to watch. ... Panhandle Gives is perfect, because there is such a diversity of organizations that are participating. If a donor has a passion that they care about in their community, I can almost guarantee that there is an organization serving that mission inside the campaign of Panhandle Gives," Carter said.

One participating Panhandle Gives recipient, the High Plains Food Bank (HPFB), spoke about the many opportunities that the Panhandle Gives campaign provides the organization and those they serve each year.

"The funds that we raise now mean a lot more to the High Plains Food Bank after 2021 with the increased need, not only from the effects of COVID, but the overall increased cost of living," said Zach Wilson, Executive Director of the HPFB. "It truly never ceases to amaze me, the generosity that everyone in the community has. Panhandle Gives, and those who donate, have done a tremendous amount for us. This year, we hope to be able to benefit from the campaign and distribute more goods to those in need and help combat rising costs."

For those wishing to make a contribution to the Panhandle Gives campaign, donations will be accepted both online or though a money order/check. Beginning midnight on Nov. 21 through midnight Nov. 29, online donations can be made at https://www.thepanhandlegives.org/ .

To make a contribution via check or money order, donors are asked to accredit the funds to Panhandle Gives, with the organization to be benefitted written in the memo line.

Participating area banks include Amarillo National Bank, FirstBank Southwest and Happy State Bank. Check contributions will be accepted during bank business hours, Nov. 21 through Nov. 29.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Area organizations prep for 2022 Panhandle Gives fundraising campaign