Newport Avenue Donates $47K to Feed Children

Community-based independent Newport Avenue Market raised $46,842 to help feed children in need with its first annual Go Golf Tournament earlier this week in support of Backpacks in Bend.

The money raised from the event was presented to the organization at an awards ceremony following the tournament at Broken Top Golf Club. “We are pleased with the participation of everyone involved; we simply could not have produced such an amazing event without our sponsors, participants, volunteers, and Broken Top Golf Club,” said Lauren Johnson, head cheerleader at Newport Avenue Market. “One hundred percent of the money raised during the tournament will stay in Central Oregon to feed hungry children in our community.”

The funds will be used to continue Backpacks in Bend’s mission of filling children’s backpacks with non-perishable food to take home over the weekends when school is in session. Of the almost 16,000 students in the Bend La Pine School District, more than 7,000 currently qualify for free and reduced price lunch.

The tournament hosted over 100 golfers from the community, which included leaders from the grocery and retail industry. An awards ceremony directly followed the tournament where participants were able to enjoy beer, wine and small plates while trophies were distributed and the honorary donation check of all proceeds raised from the event was presented to Backpacks in Bend.

Family-owned since 1976, Newport Avenue Market has been voted “Best of Central Oregon” 14 years in a row by The Source Weekly, awarded “Top 50 Retailer” by The Gourmet Retailer, “Leadership in Composting Award” by the Oregon Refuse & Recycling Association, “Deli of Distinction” by Boar’s Head, “Business of the Year” by the Bend Chamber of Commerce, and most recently co-owner Debbie Dory was named Woman of the Year by the National Grocers Association.