American Water Charitable Foundation awards grant to Second Harvest
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The American Water Charitable Foundation announced it had awarded a $4,500 State Strategic Impact grant to Second Harvest Community Food Bank.
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water.
"Missouri American Water is proud to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation to provide funding for community organizations meeting critical needs in the communities we serve," said Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American Water.
Second Harvest Community Food Bank serves food-insecure individuals, families and seniors in St. Joseph and across 18 counties in Northwest Missouri.
"Missouri American Water's really great partners for us. They're here volunteering and always asking what we need and how they can support us and help us. This is just another great example of that," said Chad Higdon, Second Harvest's CEO. "They're really committed to giving back throughout the region, and we serve a lot of the communities that they serve...So we're very grateful for their partnership and all they do to support us."
John Hontz, Missouri American Water's senior manager, said the grant donation was a great opportunity to give back.
"Well, Second Harvest...we've partnered with them before in the past," said Hontz. "Missouri American Charitable Foundation had some extra money this year, and um, I found out about it. So I said, "Hey, Second Harvest is always needing it.' With uh...you know, the government was shut down...snap benefits being reduced a little bit..."
The State Strategic Impact grant is part of the 2025 "Keeping Communities Flowing Grant Program," which focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. State strategic impact grants support high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water's national footprint.
"The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support organizations that align with Missouri American Water's commitment to meeting the critical needs of residents in St. Joseph and the broader community," said Carrie Williams, the president of the American Water Charitable Foundation.
