If you have not had a chance yet read about Kim Koury who is a finalist in the America Inspired Contest in the Passion Category and the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl that she created to raise money for the Westside Food Bank, please take the opportunity to do so now. Also, please have a look at the video that our advocate Shelley Long made for us which is on You Tube encouraging you to VOTE FOR KIM. I can’t think of a more deserving cause than feeding the hungry this winter!
To bring you up to date on Kim, I spoke with Genevieve Riutort, Director of Development at the Westside Food Bank this week. Kim’s annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl made approximately $17,500 for the Westside Food Bank this Christmas which translates to 70,000 meals for the hungry in Los Angeles. Here is what Genevieve had to say:
Many of the finalists in AmericaInspired have had to deal with overwhelming obstacles. What do you think Kim’s greatest challenges were and how did she deal with them?
“Kim faced a number of obstacles in putting together the event. She had to get support from the local Chamber of Commerce to get the businesses to agree to participate, she had to recruit a team of about 20 people to join the committee, donate their time, energy and resources to taking care of the hundreds of logistical details, from planning the routes, getting insurance, purchasing wristbands and santa hats, etc. Kim had to recruit over 50 additional volunteers to work for several hours at multiple locations to get participants checked in. When the first two years of the event brought in an overwhelming amount of canned food, Kim had to find a way to transform the event from a food drive to one that charged an admission price and get thousands of participants to buy in, literally. Kim handled all the logistics with grace, reminding everyone that their efforts would result in thousands of local families having enough to eat throughout the holiday season. She got everyone from the local bus company to the local police to pitch in and make the event a success.”
All finalists in the AmericaInspired contest have a chance at winning a $50,000 Grand Prize. If Kim were to win the money, what would she do with it?
“If Kim wins the $50,000, the entire amount will be donated to the Westside Food Bank, to provide food for an additional 200,000 meals at a time of record-high need.”
How has Kim inspired you?
“Kim is an absolute inspiration. She is amazing at motivating others to get involved. She always lets everyone know that no matter their role, they are contributing a vital piece of the overall picture. Even when it seemed that putting on an event of this scale with only volunteers to help was an impossible task, Kim just plunged in and did whatever it took to bring all the pieces together. She is a perfect example of how with determination and hard work, anything is possible.”
How can other people get involved or give to your cause?
“Anyone wishing to support Westside Food Bank can visit our website, www.westsidefoodbankca.org People can donate money to help the cause - Just $5 provides food for 20 meals. People can also volunteer to sort food in our warehouse, hold food drives, and donate non-perishable food.”
Inspired? Then cast your vote for KIM KOURY as the Grand Prize winner of Examiner’s America Inspired contest and know that a hungry person on the West side of LA blesses you for doing so!
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