SPRINGFIELD – With COVID-19 causing many families to lose their jobs or struggle financially, one in five households with children in Massachusetts is now suffering from food insecurity. Feed the Kids works to combat this through fundraising, donor contributions and teaming up with other organizations in the area who ensure children don’t go hungry.

On Aug. 9, Feed the Kids will be hosting their 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. All proceeds will go towards fighting childhood hunger through the Holyoke School Backpack Program, Pioneer Valley Powerpacks, No Kid Hungry and Springfield Square One.

According to Dr. Frederick Kadushin, co-chair of Feed the Kids, the golf tournament has brought in $124,000 over the last three years. Kadushin and his wife Mary-Kay Kadushin started the tournament after hearing just how many kids were affected by hunger and a lack of proper nutrition.

“We realized that we needed to do something about it and not just make a donation, so we organized this four years ago,” he said.

The tournament will take place at Springfield Country Club and both individuals and organizations are able to register for the event. Check in will begin at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start will kick off the tournament at 11 a.m.

A ticket is $165 per golfer and $660 for a foursome. Tickets include greens fees, driving range, cart use, lunch, cocktail hour, dinner and a gift bag.

There will also be an online auction that opens July 26 and runs through Aug. 9. Anyone can bid on items in the auction, which will range from paid trips, golf rounds at private courses, gift baskets and more.

Those unable to participate in the tournament or online auction are also able to donate to Feed the Kids through their website. Kadushin said that any amount donated helps the organization and kids in need.  

“I know some people feel like $5 doesn’t make a difference, but every $5 makes a huge difference in providing a week's worth of breakfast for kids,” he said.

With COVID-19, the annual tournament couldn’t take place in 2020. However, Kadushin said that through sponsors and the online auction they were still able to raise over $30,000.

He said he is now excited that this year they can “have a community getting together to do something really positive.”

Interested participants can register for the event at www.feedthekidsgolf.com. There will be a maximum of 100 participants allowed and registration will run up to the week of the tournament.

Kadushin emphasized just how important the tournament and raising funds is for helping children in the community.

“Now I’m gonna get teary eyed,” he said. “Nutrition for children is so, so important for them to have a chance in life. Kids who have proper nutrition do better in school, have less behavioral problems and are more likely to graduate from high school. So regardless of what the home circumstances are that lead them to not having food, we can help them be successful in life and have a shot.”