Sharing a Legacy of Compassion

“We help folks and don’t need to question why.” That’s both the legacy that Larry Ward’s parents passed on to him, and the legacy he plans to leave for his own two daughters. One way he’s making that possible is through his decades-long support of Harvesters and its mission.

“It’s a tangible thing to know people are getting fed,” he says of the support he provides through volunteer service, monthly gifts and a planned gift that will continue impacting our communities even after Larry’s lifetime.

Larry first became involved with Harvesters in the mid 1980s while working at Honeywell Corporation in Kansas City. Along with fellow coworkers, he raised money and food donations for Harvesters, and he even served on Harvesters’ Board of Directors for seven years.

His passion for hunger relief and Harvesters’ mission has only grown since then. We checked in with him several years ago about his dedication to hunger relief, and recently caught up with him again.

“It’s amazing to me to see how Harvesters has branched out to so many counties in the Missouri and Kansas area,” he says. “Harvesters sees the need and works hard to address it.”

Now retired, Larry continues to stay involved with Harvesters’ mission through his monthly gift, volunteer opportunities and further commitment to planned giving. Noting he has everything he needs, he intends to invest more in helping neighbors who “aren’t there yet.”

“I think it’s unreal and a shame that in this country, we aren’t [providing food for] people who need it,” he says.

Thanks to Larry and generous partners like you, more of our neighbors will have nutritious food on the table, today, tomorrow and long into the future. Thank you, Larry!