August 2, 2023 533 PM
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY — Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County is excited to announce the return of the “Mount Livermore Hunger Challenge” on October 7, 2023.
The 2023 Mount Livermore Hunger Challenge is a fundraiser benefiting the Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County. The hike up Mount Livermore, limited to 30 participants, will take place on October 7, 2023.
The Hunger Challenge provides a unique opportunity to gain access to the iconic Mount Livermore via Davis Mountains Preserve, which is managed by The Nature Conservancy. The event will offer a guided hike to the top of Mount Livermore, the highest peak in Jeff Davis County. For those not up for a climb to the summit, participants can also raise money for the food pantry by participating in one of the guided nature hikes.
The food pantry currently feeds approximately one-third of the residents of Jeff Davis County. Income guidelines to qualify for food pantry services are based on 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. Executive Director Vicki Gibson said, “We understand the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables to our clients’ health. As such, we are one of only a handful of food pantries in Texas that purchase fresh produce from a wholesale grocer to offer our clients for free. Fresh produce makes up a significant portion of our budget, which is one reason for this fundraiser.”
Gibson also referred to the fact that Jeff Davis County ranks #14 out of 254 counties in Texas for child food insecurity, with more than 57% of children in Jeff Davis County living in poverty. To address the issue of child food insecurity, the food pantry offers a pack-a-lunch program providing brown bag lunch ingredients to school-age food pantry clients, and a Kids Pantry at the Jeff Davis County Library open to any child regardless of income with no application required.
The Mount Livermore Hunger Challenge is the food pantry’s first in-person fundraiser since COVID hit in 2020. The food pantry is looking for participants, event sponsors and volunteers to make this event successful. Anyone interested in participating can visit the food pantry website for more information. www.foodpantry-jdc.org/hunger-challenge-hike
