The IRONMAN Foundation is continuing its efforts to combat hunger needs during the Holiday season through initiatives, including Kahiau Together, Operation IRONAID Nutrition, and the Rock This Town Turkey Trot.
“Food insecurity has become one of the most emergent needs caused by the pandemic across all communities, especially for children whose schools have been closed,” said Sarah Hartmann, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation.
“We are continuously committed to meeting the needs of those most challenged by today’s circumstances and hope these programs will provide relief to our race communities and beyond this holiday season.”
Rock This Town Turkey Trot
Rock This Town, a program of the IRONMAN Foundation invites runners to the Rock This Town Turkey Trot through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running Club. Runners are encouraged to run or walk a 5K or more between the United States Thanksgiving holiday on November 26 and Giving Tuesday on December 1.
For every runner that takes part, the IRONMAN Foundation will donate US$1 to Feeding America for those facing hunger this holiday season. To date, over 2,800 runners have registered. In addition, the IRONMAN Foundation will distribute a US$10,000 IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund grant to Feeding America to help support hunger relief this holiday season.
Kahiau Together
In support of the Hawai`i community, birthplace of IRONMAN and home of the IRONMAN World Championship, the IRONMAN Foundation through the Kahiau Together initiative has pledged US$1,000,000 to help distribute food throughout the Island of Hawai`i.
Kahiau, meaning to give lavishly without expectation of return, supports the community in Hawai’i through drive-through ‘Aid Stations’ for families on the island to safely pick up bundles of carefully curated foods, in addition to a grant program to support food banks and local non-profits.
Since July, nearly 30,000 meals have been served through 11 distribution events, including over 600 Thanksgiving meals provided this week.
Operation IRONAID Nutrition
Through Operation IRONAID Nutrition, the IRONMAN Foundation has partnered with local IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 and Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series staff throughout to help meet nutritional needs by purchasing food for 48 local food banks.
In conjunction with Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida and Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast, the IRONMAN Foundation hosted an IRONAID Food Drive. Athletes donated non-perishable food items which were distributed to Rebuild Bay County to meet hunger needs of the Greater Panama City Beach community, along with a US$1,000 IRONAID grant from the IRONMAN Foundation.
Grant applications for the final round of IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund grants in 2020 are currently being accepted from health-related organizations with COVID-19 response programs, including programs meeting nutritional needs. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, December 15.
