Submitted Photo: Jack Cavanaugh, Randy Adams, David Blong, Randy Schultz, and Father Felix of the Chariton Knights of Columbus present the donation to Kim Fletcher, Jenny Hoover, and Cheryl Plank from Tenco.

(CHARITON, Iowa) – Perhaps you’ve seen local Knights of Columbus members outside retail stores, handing out large-size Tootsie Rolls featuring the organization’s logo and seeking donations. Or maybe you recently picked up a Tootsie Roll from Second Time Around Store, a subsidiary of Tenco Industries, located in Chariton.

The annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” is a nationwide effort made by the Knights of Columbus Organization. The goal is to raise money for those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities (as well as the Special Olympics) and donations go to local groups that assist those persons.

“Those who donate to the cause are given a [T]ootsie [R]oll as a ‘thank you’,” reads a news release sent by Tenco Industries. “[Ninety percent] of all funds raised stay in the area. The other [ten percent] is sent to the corporate office to be distributed to areas that don’t have a Knight of Columbus.”

As a result, Tenco Industries was given $500 from the Knights. The goal of the donation is to help Tenco continue it’s mission to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to develop and maintain independence in all areas of life. Tenco currently has offices in seven counties, two hydroponic greenhouses, and two thrift stores. Tenco locations include: Ottumwa, Fairfield, Knoxville, Keosauqua, Oskaloosa, Centerville, Chariton.