Winchester Seniors to Knockout Hunger

Every year the senior focus class at tries to raise money for one cause or another. This year’s seniors were originally going to focus their attention on raising money for Japan. But decided to focus on a cause closer to Winchester.

The class will be trying to raise money to Knockout Hunger through a charitable knockout style basketball tournament to raise funds and awareness about hunger in eastern Massachusetts.

Proceeds for the event will go to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

“A lot of people don’t know that hunger is also a local problem,” said Winchester senior, Will Herbert. “It’s something that effects other parts of the world, but there are plenty of people in Massachusetts that don’t get enough to eat.”

The event will be held Monday, Mat 2 from noon to 2 p.m.

“It’s great that these high school students too the initiative to put this together,” said Paul Manganaro, who’s assisting the class as they try and raise money for the event. “It’s especially impressive regarding the seniors. They only have a month left in school. It’s very encouraging to see them, in the prime of their lives, thinking about how they can help out somebody else.”

According to Manganaro, nearly 125,000 children are at risk of going hungry on any given day in Eastern Massachusetts.

“Hunger is always something that you think happens outside this country,” Manganaro said. “But it exists right here. For some people it’s a reality that they can’t get food whenever they want it.”

Herbert said that the class hopes to raise at least $1,000, but he said that he is hopeful that the seniors exceed that number.

“This is an opportunity for people to raise money for a good cause,” Herbert said. “Not too many people are aware that this is a problem in the states. A lot of people in Massachusetts go to bed not knowing where there next meal is coming from, and we’re just trying to bring awareness to this problem.”

You can sign up for this event online. One $10 ticket allows admission for one individual and includes pizza, cookies and a beverage. Participants are asked to register for the event in advance and pay at the door.