Every child should have a little rubber ducky at one point in their life. They’re cute, fun and make kids happy.
And every child should have more than one square meal − and some don’t even get that − a day. They’re cute kids, but sometimes hungry. Sometimes, they only eat junk.
So what do rubber ducks have to do with hungry children? Well, those little yellow rubber ducks can help provide food for school children in Escambia County.
Splash City Adventures on Pensacola Boulevard hosts its second annual Rubber Duck Race at 2 p.m. May 17. People can purchase a numbered duck for $5, and at race time, park employees dump the ducks from a small bridge into Splash City Adventures’ slow-moving river course. The person whose duck wins the race − it takes about four minutes for the ducks to mosey through the river route – wins $1,000. Proceeds will help create food pantries at area schools.
Last year’s inaugural race brought in nearly $3,000, which was used to establish food pantries at Belview and Ensley elementary schools, as well as a pantry for Escambia County School District social workers. This year, Splash City Adventures is hoping to raise twice that, helping twice as many schools.
“The proceeds from the duck sales and any sponsorships go directly to the Escambia County School District Title 1 office to put food pantries in some of the schools,” said Jennifer Harrison, Splash City Adventure general manager. “Our goal this year is to put six new pantries in schools.”
Each pantry costs about $750 to $1,000 to start, including any equipment needed such as shelving, and the initial stocking of the shelves with food. The pantries are then sustained by the schools and school district, using other local food programs to keep pantries stocked through the year.
She said the park is already involved with the school district, offering passes as grade incentives and other ventures, and helping establish food pantries for students seemed “a perfect fit.”
“We’re part of this community,” Harrison said. “And we want to give back to the community.”
The Duck Race also is the same date of the 2025 opening of Splash City Adventures’ water park, which includes 12 water slides and various pools, including pools for small children.
In coordinating the fundraising duck race, Splash City Adventures works with Jennifer Manis, Escambia County Public Schools McKinney Vento Liaison, where she assists assists families and youth who meet the McKinney Vento Assistance Act definition of homelessness.
Manis said there are just under 2,000 students in the Escambia County School District who qualify as homeless under the McKinney Vento Assistance Act of 1987, which provides federal money to homeless programs and even those with homes often face food insecurity concerns.
“If a student is going to school hungry or tired, how well can they learn?” Manis asked. “Education is critical and it’s important to teach the foundations of academics, but it’s also important to meet the basic needs of an individual.”
Also, rising food prices limit the food choices for many families, she said, causing a need for more food pantries and programs in schools.
“There’s a big need, especially with inflation,” she said. “Families are feeling the pinch.”
If someone purchases a rubber duck to race, they will receive a discount on entry tickets, paying only a $19.99 admission fee. There is no limit on the number of ducks purchased. (And yes, you can take a duck home.)
Details: www.splashcityadventures.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Splash City Adventure’s water park opens for season with Rubber Duck Race
Reporting by Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
