The Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida recently announced the launch of its inaugural “Alachua County Food Fight,” a community-wide competition designed to raise both food donations and financial support to help feed nearly 1,700 children in four counties facing chronic hunger.
The goal is to fill a 26-foot box truck with food donations or raise $20,000 (the equivalent in monetary contributions). In 2023-24, Food4Kids provided nonperishable food bags to nearly 1,700 local children for every weekend during the school year.
The “Alachua County Food Fight” will run from Friday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 30, and the community is encouraged to participate with either food donations or financial contributions.
“With food prices continuing to rise, our organization is feeling the strain,” said Margot DeConna, executive director of Food4Kids, in a press release. “Where a weekend food bag once cost about $6 per bag, it now costs close to $10. Thanks to our ability to purchase wholesale from distributors, we can stretch every donor dollar to keep children fed, but we need the community’s help more than ever.”
The “Alachua County Food Fight” is modeled after a similar successful event hosted by the Suwannee River Electric Cooperative. Businesses and organizations are invited to compete in raising the most food and monetary donations for Food4Kids Backpack Program. The nonprofit is dedicated to providing food to chronically hungry children from ages 5 to 18 across Alachua, Levy, Dixie and Bradford counties.
Local businesses have already stepped up to help. Clint and Sheena Asbell, owners of House of Luxury at Haile and longtime supporters of Food4Kids, have taken the lead and are challenging other local businesses to join the “Alachua County Food Fight.”
“Over the years, we’ve collected tens of thousands of pounds of food, feeding hundreds of hungry kids in Gainesville and beyond,” said Clint Asbell in the press release. “This year, we want to make an even bigger impact, and we’re encouraging other businesses to join us. It means the world to these kids who are right here in our community.”
For more information about how to participate, visit www.food4kidsfl.org/foodfight.
As a long time citizen in Alachua County. Food For Adults is needed and necessary as well as Food For Kids. If the Kids are hungry in a low to middle income House Hold them so are the Adults in the Household. Maybe providing for Adult’s would stop some of the Crime Committed in the City of Gainesville Alachua County that is known for Theft Crimes. Theft of Bicycles, Theft of Copper out of a Outside Air conditioner Heating and Air Unit and Theft of Unoccupied Dwellings. Think further of who exactly is in need of food before you start holding your Hands Out To Receive Help. Thank You