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Sun Valley Tour de Force Picks New Beneficiary
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Jeanne Liston said that The Hunger Coalition plans to break ground on its expanded facility in May 2020.
 
 
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Tuesday, January 7, 2020
 

STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley Tour de Force has selected The Hunger Coalition as its next beneficiary.

Proceeds from the three-day event in July will be given to the Bellevue-based non-profit in 2020 and 2021.

Sun Valley Tour de Force presented Idaho BaseCamp with a donation worth more than $100,000 in 2019. In addition to donations, the partnership with The Hunger Coalition will include marketing support, public relations and an introduction to new donors from outside the valley.

Tour de Force Co-Producer Whitney Slade said The Hunger Coalition was chosen from 20 applicants after several site visits and numerous interviews.

“We were thrilled to see so many organizations apply for the partnership,” said Maya Blix, who co-produces the snazzy car event with Slade. “There are many deserving organizations in the valley and it was a true pleasure to learn more about those missions and the wonderful people working tirelessly every day to advance their impact.”

The Hunger Coalition serves about 18 percent of Blaine County residents, or just under 4,000 people. Half of those are children.

It manages 10 food-related programs, including a food pantry, community farm and garden where volunteers can work for free veggies and children’s food programs, including the Bloom Truck which moves up and down the valley in summer and school backpacks loaded with weekend snacks.

But, while the organization is currently serving one in six local people, studies show that one in three are considered food insecure or one crisis away.

To close that gap, The Hunger Coalition is moving into a new property near its current site that will triple its size and provide more stigma-free opportunities for locals to access food.

The Hunger Coalition hopes to not only update and expand its current facility but expand growing capabilities, with row gardens and heated greenhouses. It’s also planning a community kitchen where valley residents can come together to learn new ways of preparing food and share meals over various programs.

A discounted grocery market is also envisioned.

“We are determined to provide more opportunities for our neighbors to access food in dignified ways and be a part of a multi-dimensional solution to food insecurity,” said Jeanne Liston, executive director of The Hunger Coalition. “This incredible opportunity with Sun Valley Tour de Force will help propel us forward to meet this ambitious goal.”

Sun Valley Tour de Force, which is produced by Intrepid Events, Inc., a 501c3, will be held July 23 through 25. It will include opportunities for drivers to test their car’s speed on Phantom Hill north of Ketchum, a downtown car show featuring collectibles and supercars, a classic car drive from Ketchum to Smile Creek Lodge and the Saturday evening Cars & Comedy fundraiser at the Limelight Hotel.

Previous donors have bid on a VIP experience at the 2020 Indy 500, a behind-the-scenes tour of McLaren headquarters in Britain, exclusive access to the Portland Grand prix, and an opportunity to attend the BMW driving school in Palm Desert.

Want to know more? Visit www.sunvalleytourdeforce.com.


 

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