Tim Kennedy to Help Buffalo City Mission With Online Scavenger Hunt

It's always nice when a professional athlete does something to give back to the community and it's even better when the professional athlete has an opportunity to help the city he grew up in. We always hear about professional athletes making bad decisions and getting in trouble but that is a minority and most players are good people. Tim Kennedy is teaming up with the Buffalo City Mission  to help feed the hungry.

This is an opportunity for everyone to help contribute to a great cause by participating in the online scavenger hunt. Follow the jump for the complete press release.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo City Mission, with the help of Buffalo Sabres Left Wing Tim Kennedy, announced the second annual HungerHunt.com fundraiser, a free online scavenger hunt that educates people about the underlying issues of homelessness locally.

The goal is to provide19, 600 meals to hungry men, women and children in the Western New York community during the month of February. Every dollar donated to stamp out hunger up to $20,000 will be matched by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation.

Here's how it works. During the 28 days of February, individuals age 18 or older can visit HungerHunt.com to answer questions about homelessness and poverty. Correct answers accumulate points that earn participants a chance to win daily prizes. The grand prize will be drawn at the end of the month and includes a one night stay at the Adams Mark Hotel, two tickets to a Buffalo Sabres home game, and a meet and greet with Tim Kennedy. The runner-up will receive a $50 gift certificate to Bella Terra Restaurant and $200 towards a luxury room at Embassy Suites. Daily prizes were donated by local companies and organizations. The scavenger hunt is sponsored by Tops Friendly Markets, GEICO, National Grid, Noobis and Red Line Recovery. Family involvement is encouraged.

"Last year we launched the highly successful online scavenger hunt to raise awareness amongst a younger demographic and educate the community in a fresh, fun and interactive way," said Aubrey Calhoun, director of public relations at the Buffalo City Mission. "We are hoping to continue that tradition and help people understand the realities of poverty and homelessness in our community, taking the need online."

In its first year, more than 500 people participated in HungerHunt.com, 25 local companies donated in-kind gifts valued at more than $2,000 and Noobis, a local internet company, donated the creation, management, and maintenance of the site. One hundred percent of participants reported an increased awareness of poverty and homelessness and most experienced a stronger knowledge of programs and services offered at the Mission.

Tim Kennedy of the Buffalo Sabres will act as the spokesperson for this year's HungerHunt.com fundraiser. Kennedy will be featured in 30-second TV spots that will air on local ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates beginning Monday, Feb. 1. He is also pictured on the billboard located at 100 E. Tupper Street.

"The people of Western New York know the importance of teamwork; they are motivated, hardworking and active when it comes to supporting their neighbors," said Kennedy. "Together we will make it our goal to support the Buffalo City Mission as we Stamp out Hunger."

Register today at www.HungerHunt.com.

The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a not-for-profit organization that provides preventative, emergency and long-term recovery services to thousands of people who are homeless or impoverished. The Mission includes: Women and Children's Shelter (Cornerstone Manor); the Men's Community Center; the Mission Automotive Vehicle Donation Program; and two thrift store locations to better serve our community. For more information, please visit www.buffalocitymission.org or 854-8181.