2019 Hoops for Hunger
\r\nRotary Club President A.J. Walsh has reported the total number of monetary and food donations collected from the 2019 Hoops for Hunger -Cyclone Classic Basketball tournament held at Cyclone Arena in December, 2019.\r\n
\r\nIt is estimated that the event will provide 138,217 meals to school age children and families located in Russellville and the immediate Arkansas River Valley area this year!\r\n
\r\nThe 2019 benefit generated just over $95,000.00 including cash and in-kind donations.\r\n
\r\nWalsh reported that 2,015 food items were donated with a retail value of over $4,000. \r\n
\r\nThe Lady Cyclone Basketball team won the ‘Food Stars competition’ by collecting close to 590 pounds of peanut butter and cereal!\r\n
\r\nThe Rotary club wishes to thank donors and sponsors of the event with recognition given to Title Sponsors Tyson Foods, Bridgestone/Firestone, Conagra, Legends Resort and Casino, as well as in-kind Title sponsors Russellville School District, EAB Russellville, and Beacon/Cooper Tires.\r\n
\r\nRotary would like to also mention a special thank you to the referees of the tournament who donated 33% of their time to the event.\r\n
\r\nThe first annual Hoops for Hunger event was held in 2015, and since then the event has generated an astounding gross-cash total of $258.816.00, and within that time frame in-kind sponsors have donated services and products valued at $$114,276.00! \r\n
\r\nThe total value of the Rotary and RSD Fundraiser and service project aimed at alleviating hunger in resident school age children and families has reached $360,687.50. \r\n
\r\nParticipating visiting high school basketball teams and their supporters combined with Rotary Club sponsors totals just over $10,800 over the past five years the tournament has been held.\r\n
\r\nRecipient checks were distributed to River Valley Food4Kids and Manna House Food Pantry each in the amount of $31,150, and Pottsville Community Food Pantry for $6,700.\r\n
\r\nWalsh estimates based on the USDA standards and access to the Arkansas Food Bank that 615,000 meals have been made locally available since 2015 because of the success of Hoops for Hunger the past five years!\r\n
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