As a former schoolteacher and a mother of seven, prioritizing the needs of others was second nature to Joan Bellwoar. So, it’s no surprise that in her estate planning, Joan designated 90 percent of her estate to charities committed to the community’s most vulnerable populations, including Philabundance.
Helping others was a core belief of Joan’s and her compassion for others was evident, according to her son, Andy. “During her life she really ‘walked the walk,’ so it was only fitting that in her will she ‘talked the talk,’ making such a great donation to a worthy cause,” he says. Despite feeding her own large family each night, she regularly welcomed anyone who needed a meal to her table, he recalls, ensuring that no one went hungry. “For me, the idea of coming together, talking, sharing—that was all associated with food,” he says. “For my mom, I’m sure the thought of someone not having that really impacted her decision to give to an organization like Philabundance.”
For Andy, seeing the impact of his mother’s final gift is especially meaningful. “This gift will keep my mother’s legacy alive, allowing her to touch even more people’s lives for years to come.”
