Participate In The Trails To Table Challenge To Raise Funds In Iowa City

Fri December 04 2020
Posted Dec 16, 2020
2,547

For nearly a decade, the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPO) has sponsored the "Linda Severson Charity Challenge" in honor of Linda Severson who served as the MPO's Human Services Coordinator from 1994-2011. As part of the challenge, each participating government entity (Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, University Heights, Tiffin, and Johnson County) selected a local charity for which staff and elected officials collected donations. Social distancing and other workplace limitations due to the Covid-19 pandemic will make such an effort difficult this year. Still, we know the need in our communities has never been greater.

With this in mind, the MPO is leading an online event/fundraiser: the Trails-to-Table Challenge. The public is invited to join MPO staff as they walk, run, and bike the 100+ miles of paved trails and sidepaths in the Metro Area with the goal of raising $10,000 for our local food banks (CommUnity Food Bank in Iowa City, the Coralville Community Food Pantry, and North Liberty Community Food Pantry). Online donations will be directed through the Community Foundation of Johnson County.

The goals of Trail to Table are to raise funds for food assistance that is critically needed this year; encourage engagement in outdoor activities that are good for physical, mental, and emotional health; and to promote the remarkable system of trails that our metro area communities have built together.

How to participate:

Follow the MPO on Facebook and Instagram for photos, videos, and links to maps that will feature trails and routes throughout the metro.
Donate to Trails to Table through the Community Foundation of Johnson County; money will be distributed to the three area food pantries.
Join us in this challenge by riding, walking, or jogging metro trails;
- Post photos of your favorite area trails (or trails that you have decided to try because of the challenge) with #Trails2Table.
- Encourage friends to get out on the trails and participate as well.
If you do not follow social media, you can also check out thearea trails map online to begin your adventure.

Due to the pandemic, this is going to be a long, hard winter for many—by working together, we hope to help keep people safe and healthy!