Fight Hunger. Change the World.
- Jan 4, 2018
- 4 min read
Kate D. is in kindergarten and she shares a home with her grandmother and mother. Kate used to leave school on Fridays not knowing if she would eat over the weekend, but thanks to the Pan Florida Challenge organization, Kate no longer has to worry about that. Now, PFC sends Kate home from school on Friday with a back-pack full of nutritious food to last her until Monday's school breakfast. Since receiving Pan Florida Challenge Super-Power Packs, Kate has been coming to school on Mondays with energy. She has had improvement in class with her behavior. She is now contributing in class and overall seems more focused.
The Event.
My team is based in Naples, Florida. A state where one in four children are food challenged, meaning they are often so hungry they cannot undertake any task besides worry about where their next meal will come from. Let’s pause and consider that for a minute: 25% of Florida children go hungry regularly.
But the good news is that the cycling community is helping to change that. In March, hundreds of cyclists gather in Naples to ride anywhere from 10 to 200 miles in the Pan Florida Challenge event. Each cyclist raises $1500 or more for the event. The 200 miler is a double century with an overnight stop that includes massages, dinner, and a bonfire chat with the Papa Johns p/b Trek team. The route for 2018 takes participants from Naples to Vero Beach.
PFC uses these funds to feed 2,500 children in 8 Florida counties, relying on volunteers, donors, and sponsors to run their operation. My favorite part about PFC? 100 percent of donor funds go directly to feeding hungry children. Every. Single. Dollar.
Way to Get Involved!
Two options!
1) Join us on the ride! If you have the means, you can join our team and ride with us.
2) Make a donation. Remember 100% of donor funds go directly to feeding hungry kids. Support our fundraising efforts.
The impact of your dollars will help kids like the ones in South Grade elementary, a school in Lake Worth Florida where PFC provides Super-Power Packs to 150 homeless children. In late May 2017, PFC staff met with Ms. Garcia, a member of the staff at South Grade Elementary. She shared a story of three South Grade Elementary students who are siblings. Their parents are no longer together, so they stayed with their mother. After school one day, they returned to where they were staying and found their mother dead. She had overdosed on drugs and died. Their father is also an addict, and they are now staying with him. He often forgets to pick up the children at school. The children don't mind the wait, they shared that school is their "safe place." South Grade is a safe place for them - providing shoes, clothes, under garments, and now PFC Super-Power Packs to make sure they are fed over the weekend.
Why We Ride.
The stories of the kids affected by this hunger epidemic are heart wrenching. My mom always raised me to be grateful for what I have, but learning how much hunger and need exist right at home in my own community puts into context how blessed I truly am. My daily concerns are shaped by my privilege. Waking up in time for the gym, completing a project on time at work, avoiding traffic, cleaning my apartment, etc.. I've never wondered where my next meal will come from, and that fact alone serves as a call to action. How can I take myself seriously if I don't take it upon myself to do something to help those who aren't so privileged. The needs of others cast a shadow on my daily concerns, making them seem almost insignificant. The only way I can feel good about moving forward in the life I was given, is by giving back.
I had a chance to visit with two of my teammates that have ridden the PFC in previous years to find out what the event means to them. I also talked to our fearless leader and owner of Flamingo Racing LLC, Tish Kelly. Here’s what they had to say:
Kim Petit (2017 masters track world champion, 2016 masters national criterium champion):
“The ride itself is super fun especially with our team all together. It creates a bonding experience for us, but doing it as a cause is obviously more important. Learning the fact that so many kids in Florida are hungry was eye opening to say the least. I’m so happy we can actually do something to help kids be able to get food they normally wouldn’t get. Also during some of the rest stops a few of the kids are there and we get to meet them which is a bonus!”
Debbie Milne (2-time masters national road race champion, over 170 wins, queen of the Hincapie Fondo):
“When we go down there it’s pretty much our first ride together as a team so we get to know each other a little bit better. Then we go on this great ride to help raise money to feed those kids. The individuals that organize the event and the volunteers are really encouraging— they cheer us along way at every rest stop -even in funny places on the side of the road.
“I think it makes the event more exciting for a professional team to be there for the individuals who participate and raise the funds for the ride. I consider it a privilege to be there and to get a chance to get to know the participants and ride with some along the way.”
Tish Kelly (Owner of Flamingo Racing LLC, former professional tennis player):
“I love it because it is two fold. I get to show you girls off to my cycling pals that are huge fans of our team and actually “share” you all with them. Because you all showed up the last two years, this year tons more signed up. It helped the event tremendously. The other reason is that we are helping children get food in their stomachs. It Is absolutely shocking to know over 25 percent of them get no dinner and no food on the weekends, they only eat breakfast and lunch at school. Without people like the PFC group the kids come to school Monday morning so hungry they loose a day of learning. Who knew? We do now.
“I think it is important for young athletes to get involved in giving back. Why not use the power their notoriety gives them to do something really good and have fun while they’re doing it. A win win for everyone!”
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