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By Echo Menges
EDINA, Mo. — The Knox County Nutrition Site raised nearly $2,900 during its annual basket raffle and soup luncheon held Nov. 1, coinciding with the Knox County Chamber of Commerce Fall Winter Vendor Fair at the nearby community center.
The nutrition site served an assortment of soups — chili, vegetable beef and potato — along with sandwiches, cookies and bottled water for free-will donations. Raffle tickets for themed gift baskets were also sold for $1 each.
Proceeds from the fundraiser support daily meal service for local seniors, including on-site lunches and home-delivered meals throughout the county. Part of this year’s funds were used to purchase a new deep freezer for the site.
According to Nutrition Site Director Mary Ann Banks, recent fundraising efforts — including Tuesday night BINGO, private donations, and the Nov. 1 luncheon and basket raffle — have helped sustain operations through significant financial stressors, including the recent federal government shutdown.
Tuesday night BINGO will continue weekly at 7 p.m. Players can purchase packs of cards to participate in 13 games each evening, including seven regular games and six specialty patterns such as butterfly, cross, crazy C, Y, double L and blackout. Winners select from a table of assorted prizes.
The weekly BINGO night has become a popular social gathering, drawing dozens of attendees, many of whom bring snacks and treats to share with friends.
Beginning this week, the nutrition site is also selling 100 raffle tickets at $10 each for a chance to win a $300 C&R Market gift card. Tickets will be sold until they are gone, with the drawing scheduled for noon on Dec. 3 at the site.
The nutrition site serves Knox County residents throughout the week, providing a vital service for many seniors who rely on daily meal deliveries or on-site lunch. Meals are served at 109 N. Main St. in Edina, Monday through Friday, for a suggested donation of $9 for those under 60 and $5 for those 60 and over. Home-delivered meals are also available, thanks to local volunteers.
Winners of the 2025 basket raffle were:
• Brian Banks, S’mores basket
• Stephanie Benedict, Tea basket
• Beth Russell, Milwaukee basket
• Kevin Hall, Wine basket
• Dee Gonnerman, Jelly and Jam basket
• Beth Russell, Candy basket — which she donated to Wanda Gragg’s grandson, Tucker Gragg