Miles for meals

Written by | Maggie Tonco |

The Amarillo College Wellness Committee has returned with the No Excuses Challenge walk for the Miles for Meals initiative. The program began March 28 and will end May 6.

Students, staff and faculty can participate. Registration fees are $5 for students and $10 for faculty and staff. Trent Oneal, a sports and exercise instructor and chairman of the Wellness Committee, said he thinks the walk is a good way to improve the school’s wellbeing while helping raise funds to help people with insufficient food.

“We wanted to emphasize the wellness of AC and do that by improving the fitness levels of exercising like walking and help benefit the food pantry with the proceeds of all registration fees,” he said. Oneal said the committee welcomed the chance to encourage exercise and help the food pantry.
“Every time an organization can help, AC is jumping on board and doubling the effort,” Oneal said.

The committee helps by donating perishable foods such as meats, cheese and many other foods that have a shorter shelf life. Oneal said that last year, the committee was able to provide United Supermarket gift cards to buy the products. The AC Foundation also offers a chance to win a $500 scholarship for students who participate.

Other drawing prizes include a Kindle Fire for staff and faculty and a $125 gift card for students, staff and faculty. FM90 employee and mass media major Tyler Williams said he thinks it’s a great way to give students a chance to pay for college. “It really gets students motivated to walk, especially when there is a scholarship involved, because most students have a hard time paying just for books and such,” Williams said. First Year Seminar mentor Alexxus Thompson said, “It’s good for each individual, because they’re doing that goal for themselves and helping out for a good reason benefit.”

“Get out there and start walking; start competing, because a $500 scholarship is an awesome thing, especially that $125 gift card, and just knowing you are doing it for a good cause,” Oneal said. For more information on the Miles for Meals challenge, call Oneal at 806-371-5385.