River Bend’s March 26 Women Fighting Hunger event beat all-time fundraising records, raising more than $166,000 to fill the shelves of River Bend’s school-based programs.
Nearly 600 attendees at Rhythm City Casino were asked to donate or make a pledge to ensure children and families receive critical food support. In total, this year’s event raised 830,000 meals. Including this year’s tally, Women Fighting Hunger has raised $566,000 since 2019.
Lisa Bluder with staff at Davenport North High School after her appearance at the spring pep assembly. Download
This year’s top highlight was the conversation with Hall of Fame coach Lisa Bluder. Bluder said speaking at Women Fighting Hunger aligns with her long-time mission of empowering women.
“I hope the women leave tonight inspired, unified, and ready to accomplish whatever goals that they set for themselves,” said Bluder. “So to me, that’s really important, these women coming together and supporting other women is crucial, and it’s kind of what I’ve been about all my life, and I’m seeing that here tonight.”
Prior to taking the Women Fighting Hunger stage, Bluder made an appearance at Davenport North High School’s spring pep assembly. Bluder recognized student-athletes and celebrated the students who have contributed to River Bend Food Bank’s Student Hunger Drive. Bluder noted the incredible impact students have made in 99,501 meals to provide critical hunger relief to the community.
Rocky Resource Room coordinator Kathy Lelonek speaks to Women Fighting Hunger attendees about the importance of River Bend's long-standing support. Download
River Bend Development Director Avery Owens said wrapping the sixth annual Women Fighting Hunger event was a delight.
“Hearing Bluder champion our message that community connection makes the difference was incredible,” Owens said. “We’re so grateful to the hundreds of supporters who helped us make an impact at this year’s Women Fighting Hunger and to all those who will continue to stand with us as we fight hunger and deliver relief for children and families.”
River Bend supports about 130 school-based programs, including school pantries and backpack programs.
The March 26 event included a video featuring River Bend’s school partners and gold-level Women Fighting Hunger sponsors. Guests also heard from Rocky Resource Room coordinator Kathy Lelonek who shared how essential River Bend’s long-standing support has been in fulfilling the needs of Rock Island High School students and families.
“The Rocky Resource Room was created about 10 years ago by former staff to provide an extra layer of support to our most vulnerable students,” Lelonek said. “They found that students needed basic items such as deodorant, menstrual supplies, hoodies, underwear, and shoes. And of course, food was at the top of the list! One of the very first relationships they established was with River Bend.”
Lelonek urged attendees to lift up their communities by continuing to stand with River Bend.
“In a time when the world feels heavy, you can make a difference by continuing to support River Bend Food Bank throughout the year,” she said. “You can give monetary donations, or you simply look on their website to find a list of food pantries in your town that would be grateful for an hour or two of your help to distribute food or possibly deliver food to someone who is homebound or a family in crisis whose car doesn’t work.”
River Bend distributes more than 16 million meals annually through a combination of school-based programs, mobile pantries, senior pantry sites and other initiatives. Rising demand for hunger relief and increased food costs have required River Bend to invest more than $7 million in purchased food since 2022. Monetary donations are the most effective way to support River Bend at this time. Donations can be made at riverbendfoodbank.org/donate.