Race to Feed Crosses the Finish Line with Incredible Community Impact
Our inaugural Race to Feed Central Florida was a true community win, bringing neighbors together to pack food, raise funds, and help ensure local kids have what they need to thrive beyond the school week.
On Saturday, July 25th, 12 teams and 120 participants came together for an afternoon of friendly competition and real impact. All of this was made possible by more than 40 volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors, committee members, advisory board members, and community partners.
Together, they packed 2,500 bags of food headed to 19 schools across Orange and Osceola counties, helping students start the new school year with nutritious weekend meals. The event also raised over $30,000 to fuel Blessings in a Backpack Central Florida’s mission of hunger-free weekends for local kids.
A big congratulations to Red Robin, our inaugural Race to Feed Champions! They took home the trophy, but every team on that course helped change a child’s week for the better. One moment captured the spirit of the day perfectly.
A team that finished packing early didn’t stop to celebrate their fast time, instead, several of them ran straight over to a table still hard at work and jumped in to help finish the job. No one asked them to. They just did it. It was a small moment, but it said everything about what Race to Feed is really about: the mission mattered more than who crossed the finish line first.
“Race to Feed was one of those days where you look around and think this is what community looks like. People showed up with so much energy and kindness, and every bag packed will brighten a Central Florida child’s weekend. For our first year, it was everything we hoped for and more.” -Kristen Gustafson, Blessings in a Backpack Central Forida Advisory Board Chair
None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our presenting sponsor, AdventHealth, along with sponsors Massey Services, Nemours Children’s Health, Wildflower Weight Loss & Wilderness Weight Loss, and Sonny’s BBQ. A special thanks to our national Race to Feed Sponsor Zee Zees. We’re endlessly grateful to our many in-kind partners and volunteers who gave their time, talent, and resources to make this day happen.
The inaugural Race to Feed proved what’s possible when Central Florida shows up for its kids. Thank you for helping us pack fast and fuel futures, we will see you at the starting line next year!