First-Ever ''Race To Feed'' Comes To Central Florida To Tackle Weekend Childhood Hunger

he search is on for Central Florida’s fastest food-packers. On Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m., local businesses, community groups, and students will gather at the Center for Health & Wellbeing for the inaugural Race to Feed. This high-energy, friendly competition will challenge teams of up to 10 to go head-to-head packing 5,000 bags of food, with every single meal destined to provide local children with vital weekend nutrition. All packed food will be provided to local Blessings in a Backpack program sites, ensuring thousands of kids are fueled and ready for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

"The consequences of childhood hunger are much more than just a growling stomach – it impacts a child's ability to learn, grow, and thrive," said Diane LaVigna, Blessings in a Backpack Central Florida managing director. "Our mission at Blessings in a Backpack is simple: we provide food on the weekends for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. Race to Feed is an incredible way for the Central Florida community to come together, have some fun, and make a tangible difference in the lives of local kids."

An estimated 140,000 K-12 students living across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake Counties face food insecurity. While these children rely on free and reduced-price meals at school during the week, they are often left without affordable, healthy food on Saturdays and Sundays.

Event Details & Team Registration

Teams of up to 10 can register at https://e.givesmart.com/events/NFO/ to compete in one of three categories. Corporate leaders, community members, and student organizations are encouraged to sign up early, as team slots are limited. There is a range of fee structures based on the type of group. Corporate organizations are $1,000 per team, community groups and small businesses are $500 per team, and student groups – both high school and college – are $250 per team. 

At a Glance

What:     Race to Feed Central Florida

When:     Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where:     Center for Health & Wellbeing located at 

2005 Mizell Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792

Goal:         Pack 5,000 bags of weekend food for local students

Volunteer Opportunities

Race to Feed provides a variety of volunteer opportunities both the day before and the day of the event. From organizing food, counting cases, and building boxes on prep day, Friday, July 24, to assisting with the raffle, serving as a referee, or being part of the pit crew or scorekeeping on Saturday, July 25, volunteers can make a significant difference in the lives of local kids. To sign up, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FAFA928A1F8CF8-64014047-race?useFullSite=true#/.

Race to Feed is made possible by the generous support of sponsors, which include Zee Zees, Winter Park Health Foundation, Advent Health for Children, Massey Services, Nemours Children’s Health, Honor Foods, and Anthony DiFillipo Photography.  

For more information about sponsorship, how to register a team, volunteer, or donate, please visit https://orlando.blessingsinabackpack.org. 

About Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide Friday behavioral food bags for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry on the weekends. By partnering with local schools and other nonprofit organizations, Blessings in a Backpack helps ensure that children return to school on Mondays well-nourished and ready to learn.

# # #