Local Rotarians Raising Funds for Million Meal Challenge

Polk County Rotary Clubs are participating in a Million Meal Challenge being coordinated by Rotary District 6890 through Feeding Tampa Bay. The clubs and district are working to raise $200,000 during the month of May to help people in Polk, Highlands, Hardee and Hillsborough County impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

According to Feeding Tampa Bay, the demand for meals has quadrupled due to the global pandemic. Many people who never needed help before, especially seniors throughout the area, are going hungry.

"We are hearing from our clubs that we need to act now," said Rotary District 6890 Foundation President Gary Gunter. As Walter Oles, President Elect of the New Tampa Club told Gunter, "We need to go Big!"

Rotary District 6890 has 38 clubs with about 1,700 members in the four-county area.

"We challenge everyone who can spare some of your money to join us and raise the funds for one million meals during the month of May," said Rotary District 6890 Governor Kip Kipnis. These meals will be distributed to families and seniors in our District's four counties

"We are asking everyone to give what they can, be it $30, $50 or $100 or more. Our goal is to raise $100,000 from the public and from Rotarians, which will then be matched dollar for dollar by generous donors, creating $200,000 in donations which will result in 1 million meals", Kipnis declared.

"We are also challenging our friends in other area service organizations to join us – Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists, Shriners, Masons, Elks, and Sertoma as well as Gasparilla Krewes in our area. Help us meet the Million Meals Challenge," said Kipnis.

To donate right away, visit our Rotary District 6890 website at: http://www.rotary6890.org Donations will be made through PayPal which charges a small processing fee and this amount will be paid by our Rotary District 6890 Foundation, so 100% of your donation will go to meals.

Donations also may be made by writing a check to the Rotary District 6890 Foundation and sending it to: Joyce Gunter, Treasurer, Rotary District 6890 Foundation, Inc. at 19120 Nature Palm Lane, Tampa, FL 33647. The foundation supports the charitable efforts of clubs and members throughout the district and has a significant focus on disaster relief.

"Together, we can get people back on their feet and we can get Central Florida moving forward again towards a brighter future!", said Kipnis.

Feeding Tampa Bay is part of the national Feeding America network and focuses on providing food to the hundreds of thousands of food insecure families in the 10-county area of West Central Florida. Rotarians are expected to volunteer during the food distribution efforts in their communities.

For inquiries or further information, contact: Gary Gunter, President, Rotary District 6890 Foundation at [email protected] or call 813-732-4203.