Powerhouse Gym lends a hand to help hungry children

Powerhouse Gym lends a hand to help hungry children

Story by Huck Treadwell, The Reporter

Powerhouse Gym and Family Fitness Center lends a hand to help hungry children every year.

This year, Powerhouse hosted its seventh annual ‘Light Up The Night 5k’ run to raise funds for Blessings in A Backpack.

“We had our glow in the dark run in May,” manager Terri Lacy said. “We had good participation. We’ve tried different runs and the night run seems to be the best because everyone has a lot of fun.”

In addition to a good time, runners are also doing a good deed by raising money for Blessings in a Backpack.

Tricia Morris, who coordinates the run for Powerhouse, said this year’s run raised $8,075.22. Morris said since the run started, Powerhouse has raised more than $65,000 for Blessings in a Backpack.

“We serve about 350 kids,” Albertville Community Learning Center Director Rhonda Springfield said. “We need donations to sustain the program. If we didn’t have Powerhouse, we wouldn’t have a program — they’re the heartbeat of if.”

Springfield said the program costs about $35,000 annually and donations are always welcome. Springfield said people could also contribute time as volunteers packing lunches.