This fall, students will be able to compete in Kill Hunger, a volleyball fundraising tournament that gives back to the local families by donating to community food pantries.
The event will take place on Nov. 19, with games scheduled during blocks 1 and 2 from 7:50 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Finals will be held during lunch from 10:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Teams ranging from six-eight players and up to two coaches can compete in either a noncompetitive or competitive bracket.
The fundraiser was created to support the growing demand at local food pantries. Marty White, one of the fundraiser’s organizers, said the idea came from the other groups that organize school hunger-relief events.
“The organizations that run Hoops for Hunger and Strikeout Hunger said that the pantries were really low,” White said. “We came up with something we could do in the fall to help restock the pantries.”
Kill Hunger has the same premise as the school’s Hoops for Hunger fundraiser, but replaces basketball with volleyball.
Students participating in the event will be able to support three local food pantries: Village Food Pantry, Frenchtown Presbyterian and Helping Hands Ministry. In addition to registration fees, students can contribute a nonperishable food item to help stock the pantries.
White said one of the most important goals of the fundraiser is to make students more aware of the food insecurity in their own community.
“Number one, just raising awareness about so many people within our local area that rely on our food banks,” White said. “I think it’s really important that our students understand what’s happening out there.”
White hopes the event will encourage students to think about the challenges faced by families who depend on local food assistance.
“There’s families out there that have to decide, do I pay the electric bill or do I eat this month?” White said.
Beyond collecting food, White said the event is also an opportunity to teach students about giving back to their community and supporting local organizations.
Registration costs vary depending on when students sign up. Early bird registration, due by Nov. fourth at noon, costs 20 dollars with a nonperishable food item or 25 dollars without one. Regular registration, due by Nov. 11 at 3 p.m., costs 30 dollars while late registration costs 35 dollars.
All players must have a signed permission slip from their A-day and B-day teachers in order to participate.
Despite it being the event’s debut, White hopes Kill Hunger will become a long-lasting fundraising tradition at Del Val.
“We’re still planning on doing Hoops for Hunger,” White said. “We’re hoping that Kill Hunger becomes a fall tradition so we can support the food pantries in the fall with Kill Hunger, winter with Hoops for Hunger, and spring with Strikeout Hunger.”
Kill Hunger gives students an opportunity to compete in a friendly competition with their classmates while supporting people in their own community. Organizers hope the event will not only bring students together on the court, but also help replenish local food pantries and encourage a lasting commitment to giving back.
To sign up, students can pick up a permission slip outside of D112.
