Every August, National Make-A-Will Month reminds us of something many people put off: creating or updating a will. It’s an easy thing to postpone. There’s no deadline pressing on it, no one asking us about it in our typical day-to-day. But a will is one of the simplest and most important gifts you can give the people, and the causes, you love.
This year, that reminder carries extra weight for us. The Dublin Food Pantry is marking fifty years of feeding hope and fighting hunger in this community. Fifty years doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because generation after generation of supporters decided the Pantry mattered enough to invest in its future, not just its present.
A will lets you do the same thing.
What a Will Actually Does
A will is a legal document that spells out how you want your assets distributed after you’re gone. Without one, state law decides for you, not always in the way you would have chosen. A will lets you:
- Name who receives your property, savings, and belongings
- Name a guardian for minor children
- Direct funds toward causes and organizations you care about
- Give your family clarity instead of guesswork during an already hard time
Where the Pantry Fits In
The Dublin Food Pantry’s Legacy Giving Society honors individuals and families who have chosen to include the Pantry in their estate plans. It’s one of the most meaningful ways to make sure Dublin families have access to food long after any of us are still around to serve it ourselves. The Legacy Society Fund is managed by the Columbus Foundation, and information along with the forms to get started are available on our website.
Whether you give a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or simply name the Pantry as a beneficiary, that gift becomes part of the next fifty years of this story, and beyond.
Getting Started
You don’t need a complicated estate to make a will worthwhile, and you don’t need to figure it out alone. Many attorneys offer straightforward will-writing services, and some communities offer free or low-cost options during Make-A-Will Month specifically. A conversation with a financial advisor or estate attorney is a good first step for most families.