Why National Make-a-Will Month Matters for Everyone

When you hear “estate planning,” it’s easy to imagine sprawling mansions or complicated corporate portfolios. But the truth is, wills aren’t just for the extremely wealthy. A will is a deeply personal document that empowers everyone, regardless of age or income, to protect what matters most.

August is National Make-a-Will Month, a movement dedicated to helping people gain peace of mind, protect their loved ones, and create a roadmap for the future.

Why Make a Will Now?

Leaving your affairs to chance can create unnecessary stress for your family. By taking time to outline your clear intentions this month, you can:

• Protect Your Loved Ones: Ensure your family is cared for exactly as you intend.
• Make Tax-Efficient Choices: Save your heirs from future financial headaches.
• Cement Your Values: Leave a lasting commitment to the people and causes you care about most.

Is Feeding Your Neighbors Part of Your Legacy?

At Second Harvest Heartland, we see the incredible impact of our community every day. Minnesotans show up as volunteers, donors, and advocates to ensure our neighbors are fed – and you can turn that commitment into a legacy.

Including a gift to Second Harvest Heartland in your will is a simple, highly effective way to make your passion for hunger relief permanent. It doesn't affect your day-to-day cash flow, and it ensures that the fight against hunger continues as long as our neighbors need us.

If you have already named Second Harvest Heartland as a beneficiary in your will or estate plans, thank you! Please let us know – we’d be glad to welcome you to the Table of Hope Society. Sharing some details about your plan allows us to express our gratitude today and ensures we honor your intentions precisely in the future.

Take the Next Step

You don't need all your materials and documents ready today to get started. Begin by reflecting on your goals and having open conversations with your loved ones. When you’re ready to make things official, putting your documents together isn’t as intimidating as it might seem! You can make your plans independently or you can work with an attorney. If you’d like help from an expert, getting referrals from friends and advisors is a good place to start, or online will-planning tools make it easy to go at your own pace.

Make-a-Will Month isn’t just a calendar reminder about legal documents—it is a unique opportunity to take control of your story. By taking a small step to define your wishes today, you gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones are protected and your values are prioritized. Your will is a powerful testament of what matters most to you, where you can both safeguard your family’s future and support the fight against hunger.

This August, let's work together to ensure that a future where all our neighbors have the food, support, and stability they need.

To learn more about planned giving options, visit 2harvest.org/plannedgiving. If you have questions or want to share your plans with us, our Planned Giving Officer, Kelsey Tyler, is here to help. You can call her at 651-282-0865 or email her at ktyler@2harvest.org.