LAKE STEVENS — A horse race to see how much money could be raised for a nonprofit that helps feed hungry children has ended.
A plushy horse named Nellie won, outpacing fellow stuffed animal El Toro.
The winner isn’t the important part, organizers say. It’s about the giving. Nellie and El Toro’s race around Lake Stevens businesses brought in nearly $3,000 for the Hungry Hearts Foundation. Customers and employees at the businesses donated money while one of the horses was hosted at their location, each donation adding up to determine which pony would win. Money still is trickling in, CEO Mirza Avdic said Wednesday.
The foundation was established as an independent nonprofit in 2015, five years after volunteers started Li’l Hungry Hearts, a program under the Lake Stevens Family Resource Center. Hungry Hearts volunteers pack bags of donated food for homeless students and those who rely on free or reduced price lunches in Lake Stevens schools so they have something to take home on weekends and holiday breaks. The goal is to help children and teens who are chronically hungry, said Anita Caffee, one of the founders of Hungry Hearts.
“On Saturday and Sunday, they have nothing. The cupboards are empty,” she said. “We’re trying to fill that gap.”
The horse derby-themed fundraiser was a partnership with Wells Fargo Bank. It started in July and ended last week.
The money raised so far is enough to fill nearly 430 packs with food for students to take home over a weekend, Avdic said. About 160 students currently are helped by the nonprofit.
The next major push by Hungry Hearts is likely to be a holiday donation drive, but the foundation accepts contributions year-round. People can donate online at HungryHearts Foundation.com and contact the organization through the website for information on where to drop off nonperishable, kid-friendly food.
“In general, food or monetary donations we will always accept,” Avdic said. “People can come to us and donate however much food or funds they are able to give to us.”
On Wednesday, Caffee was recognized by the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce with a Citizen of the Year award for her work in the community, including Hungry Hearts.
“It was really nice. I was surprised when I found out I got it,” she said. “It couldn’t have happened with a one-man show. I couldn’t have done it without the volunteers and I can’t thank them enough.”
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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