Kayakers replenish food pantry </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 8:22 PM on Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Kayakers replenish food pantry

BY RYAN M. LONG

Four non-perishable food items bought any willing individual a chance to support the Homer Community Food Pantry, as well as catch some youth kayak racing and a free kayak ride around the pool at Homer High.

On Nov. 25, the Homer Kayak School, with help from co-sponsor Homer Community Schools, put on the fundraiser, which brought in $70 in donations and approximately 150 pounds of food for the pantry.

According to Tom Pogson, six youth racers took to the pool, not to compete against one another, but against the clock in their first timed race.

After the youth racers, there was a mixed category race also that battled the clock for speed and personal best times.

Photographer Tom Pagson

Paddlers take to the water at the Homer High School pool to healp raise donaations of money and food for the Homer Community Food Pantry

"It was everybody trying to do their best and everyone cheering them on," said Pogson.

With the races finished up, expert kayakers and those who have never held a paddle were invited to hop into the pool and take a spin.

According to Pogson, 20 people took that challenge ranging in age from 9 to 60.

The shortest kayak in the pool was just more than seven feet long with the longest tipping 12 feet, so, according to Pogson, "it seemed like there was more plastic than water in the pool."

"It was a huge success thanks to the pool, due in part to all the help we got from Homer Community Schools, the lifeguard staff and the people that came and participated," Pogson said.