NORFOLK -- A northeast Nebraska nonprofit is moving a fundraising event online, but this isn't any ordinary fundraising event.

"Well, it's beyond just a fundraiser because for the Rescue Mission it's the fundraiser," said Pastor Will Perrigan, the Norfolk Rescue Mission Executive Director. "This would've been our 24th banquet, so for the first time in 24 years that we have not had this event."

After a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Norfolk Rescue Mission is hosting its annual banquet virtually.

The event would normally consist of dinner, guest speakers, a silent auction, and awards, but this year, everything was put online.

Pastor Perrigan said the live event is usually around a $50,000 boost.

The pandemic has mainly affected fundraising events, since the Rescue Mission is an essential service, the pandemic can't shut it down.

"Being the only homeless shelter in town, we're an essential service," said Pastor Perrigan. "We can't send the homeless home. Everyone else can go home from work, but here we can't send them home. We are home for them."

Over 40 items are up for bidding on the online auction. The silent auction is open until noon Monday. 

Find more ways to help, along with the auction link here: