Hanke’s turns donation into gift certificates

In tough times, one donor hopes to bring his community closer together.

Antonio Centeno, the founder of the popular YouTube channel, Real Men Real Style, donated money to Hanke’s Sentry Food.

Sandy Hanke has been processing the money given to Hanke’s Sentry Foods and is turning it into gift certificates that people from the community can exchange for food. Hanke has printed 34 gift certificates worth $25 and $50. They have given out 22 gift certificates so far.

Nancy Nueske, a friend of the Hankes, is handing out the gift certificates to the community. Hanke and Nueske have experience with helping the community, as they used to host a giving tree, where people would register what they need for gifts. Others in the community would then buy the items and fill those registrations in order to help those in need. With her experience in setting up fundraisers, Nueske has connections with people who could benefit from receiving a gift certificate to Hanke’s Sentry Foods.

“This is like the giving tree that we have hosted for 36 years. We are able to organize something that will help us get to know the community and give to the needy,” said Nueske.

Centeno created Real Men Real Style in an effort to help men find clothes to dress sharp and impress. The channel also contains tutorial videos on how to tie ties, how to match colors, and how to determine what shoes go with what suit, among other helpful tips. Centeno is also the president of atailoredsuit.com, which is similar to his YouTube channel, in that he provides style guides for any occasion.

Centeno got in touch with Nueske about donating to the community. Nueske than called Hanke to tell her about the possible donation. Nueske put Centeno and Hanke in contact with each other, in order to figure out the logistics of the donation. Centeno has lived in Wittenberg for 13 years and wanted to give back to the community.

Hanke and Centeno explained that they want the gift certificates to be put to good use.

“I don’t want any of this money wasted, people will not be allowed to buy alcohol, cigarettes, or lottery tickets with the gift certificates,” said Hanke. “A lot of the gift certificates so far are being used to buy meat, so people have something substantial to feed their families.”

“I think that getting this money to people who need it will really be helpful,” said Centeno. “I think that America has a problem with obesity, so being able to get money to people to find healthier alternatives will be beneficial to them.”

Hanke will also go out of her way to help people find food when they come into the store.

“I have even been in situations, where people came in and weren’t sure what to buy, so I tried to help them find healthy foods, because I want people to be able to cook real food, rather than frozen pizzas,” said Hanke.

Hanke also sees a theme that people tend to buy frozen foods because they are cheaper and easier to cook.

“Things like frozen meals are easy to buy because they are cheaper, but with the gift certificates, I am hoping that people are looking at healthier options,” said Hanke.

The community has responded positively to the gift certificates.

“Some people come into the store in shock and with tears in their eyes because they are so happy that we can help,” said Hanke.

“It is incredible to see the reaction on people’s faces when they come in and use those gift certificates,” said Nueske.

Centeno wants to be a part of the community and give back because of his experience growing up in a small community.

“I grew up in a trailer park in Texas, without a lot of money, so with the money that I have now, I want to give to the community that I am apart of,” said Centeno.

Centeno grew up without a lot of money and attributes that to his work ethic.

“I worked very hard throughout my time in college and in the marines to get to where I am today. I think growing up without a lot of money has given me a strong work ethic to do what I put my mind to,” said Centeno. “When I talked to Nancy and Sandy, I knew that incorporating Hanke’s Sentry Foods with the donation was something that would help the community, because I know people need food.”