By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com
NORTHLAND — The 15th Annual Bill Cross 5K benefiting Feed Northland Kids is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 at Zona Rosa.
Feed Northland Kids Executive Director Gwen O’Brien said in 14 years, the event has raised almost $680,000 and has united more than 2,500 participants.
The annual 5K event is in memory of the former Gladstone City Councilman and Mayor Bill Cross, who was also well known throughout the community as a teacher and coach.
“It’s so amazing that something like this has been going on as long as it has and still bringing in such support,” she said.
Mary Cross is still part of the race and helps with the nonprofit.
“I am amazed how we have helped so many young kids,” she said.
O’Brien said much of the run/walk goes to the Cross family.
“The funds are directed to our food service programs,” O’Brien said. “Dr. Bill Cross was an educator who saw being present and engaged kids, kids need to be nourished. We continue honoring Dr. Cross and the family. People sign up or donate because of their memories of Dr. Cross.”
O’Brien and the Cross family hope to see the biggest turnout yet.
“We are looking for participants,” O’Brien said. “It is very family friendly. You will have people with strollers, families jogging, plus there is a kid run. That’s always a really fun. Zona Rosa is an easy place to stage it.”
O’Brien said the nonprofit has new branding and logo as well as altering the story that is being told now.
“The story of what we are doing now involves taking care of the full family,” she said. “Our food kits make up nearly 80% of overhead. We do so much with volunteers. I am the only employee. The funds raised are for the school food pantries and community food kits.”
Feed Northland Kids reaches kids and families only in Clay and Platte counties.
“We are in all the main school districts,” O’Brien said. “We are touching thousands of kids.”
Annually the nonprofit is distributing 16,000 bags of food for students and families and 13,000 pounds of food in food pantries.
Students and families access the food through the schools. O’Brien said they rely on school counselors and social workers to know who needs assistance.
With the school year start, O’Brien said the nonprofit has had four additional schools requesting food pantries.
“That can a week into the year,” she said. “We are continuing to add schools. We carefully look at our budget and volunteer list to make it determine how we can help. The requests are increasing.”
Even this past summer, Feed Northland Kids increased output for summer months by increasing the number of family food bags for June, July and August.
“We are neighbors nourishing neighbors,” she said. “We raise funds in the Northland and put it back into the Northland. We are nourishing the kids in the schools. It’s really intentional.”
The focus is also on adding healthy foods.
“It becomes, for me personally, that hungry children come from hungry families and we have to reach them all in their entirety,” she said.
For more information, visit www.feednorthlandkids.org. The race website is https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/KansasCity/BillCross5K.
