A bequest in your will is one of most important parts of any legacy plan. A bequest helps make sure your assets are distributed in a way that best aligns with your values. Aside from giving you peace of mind, your will and other estate planning documents provide an ideal opportunity to tell future generations how much you care about hunger relief.

CHARITABLE BEQUESTS

A charitable bequest allows the executor of your estate to distribute money or other assets to the causes you care about
— like Harvesters. You have several options to help provide nutritious food long into the future through a bequest:

  • A Specific Bequest comes from the general value of your estate and is made by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset or a percentage of your estate. This is the most common type of bequest.
  • A Residual Bequest involves donating the remaining portion of your estate after all expenses, taxes and bequests have been made.
  • In the event your beneficiary does not survive you, you have the option to leave a portion of your estate to Harvesters through a Contingent Bequest.
  • When you create a Testamentary Trust, you have the option to provide lifetime support and payments to one or more beneficiaries, with the rest of the trust later passing to Harvesters.


Harvesters is a qualified tax-exempt charitable organization. As such, your estate may receive an unlimited charitable estate tax deduction for the amount of your gift. A bequest may be for a specific dollar amount or for a percentage of your estate.

Bequests may be restricted to a specific purpose, or unrestricted, to be used by Harvesters in an area of greatest need.

UNRESTRICTED BEQUESTS

Unrestricted bequests are especially valuable because the funds can be used wherever they are most beneficial and urgently needed at the time they are received.

Sample Unrestricted Bequest Language:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Harvesters, located at 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129, the sum of $________(or a description of the specific asset), for the benefit of Harvesters and its general purposes.”

RESTRICTED BEQUESTS

You’re also free to restrict your bequest to a specific program. If you’re not sure to which program you’d like to designate your gift, we’re happy to provide you with information to help you decide. You can also designate your gift for multiple programs.

Sample Restricted Bequest Language:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Harvesters, located at 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129, the sum of $________(or a description of the specific asset), to be used to further the goals of the BackSnack program at Harvesters.”

Thank you for considering how you can make Harvesters a part of your legacy. As long as there are people facing hunger in our community, your support will help make sure Harvesters will be here to help.