Two years ago, third-grader Jacob Mansbach combined his love for triathlons with his desire to help kids in the community and raised more than $4,600 for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. He had a friend join him last year, and together, they participated in a triathlon and raised more than $13,000.
This year, Mansbach, 10, pulled together a team made up of third through seventh graders that will participate in the Santa Barbara Triathlon on Aug. 24. The team’s goals are to finish the triathlon and raise $50,000 for the food bank.
Team members dedicated their summer break to volunteering for the food bank, raising money and awareness, and prepping for the triathlon.
As of Aug. 18, the team had raised almost $18,000. To donate, visit foodbanksbc.org/joinjacob/.
This article appears in Aug 21-28, 2014.