Ice Bowl Raises $12,000, 661 Pounds; $8,000 for Food, $4,000 for Playground

A midwinter disc golf fundraiser at Sequoia Park raised $12,000 and collected 661 pounds of food, with $8,000 and the donated food directed to Food for People, Inc., and $4,000 pledged to the Sequoia Park Foundation Playground Fund. The haul, organizers said, reflects strong community turnout and local sponsorship that made the 22nd annual event the most successful in recent memory.

Held Jan. 23, 2026, the Ice Bowl drew 186 competitors to the park, where players of all ages and abilities competed in cold-weather conditions and community volunteers handled tournament logistics. Organizers credited a combination of competitor entry fees, individual donations, and business sponsorships for producing the record total. Volunteers staffed registration, course marshaling, food drives and on-site logistics that kept the day moving and the fund distribution transparent.

The financial allocations are immediately relevant for Humboldt County residents. Food for People, Inc. will receive $8,000 in cash plus the 661 pounds of nonperishable food, strengthening a local safety net for residents facing food insecurity. Food banks like Food for People play a frontline role in public health by improving access to nutritious food, lowering the need for emergency medical care tied to poor nutrition, and supporting families on tight budgets.

The $4,000 earmarked for the Sequoia Park Foundation Playground Fund is intended to support upgrades to play infrastructure in Sequoia Park. Investment in safe, accessible playgrounds influences childhood physical activity, social development and mental health. For families with limited transportation or income, neighborhood parks are vital community assets that level the playing field for children across Humboldt County neighborhoods.

Beyond dollar figures, the event highlighted civic engagement. Local sponsors, anonymous in the event summary, and a cohort of volunteers handled course setup, scorekeeping and donation management. Those operational efforts are part of a broader community ecosystem that sustains nonprofit services and small public works projects when municipal budgets are constrained.

The Ice Bowl is both a fundraiser and a local tradition, mixing competitive disc golf culture with community solidarity. For residents, the immediate implications are practical: more food on shelter and pantry shelves this winter and additional money toward a play area that benefits neighborhood kids. For policymakers and public health officials, the event underscores ongoing gaps in food security and the importance of investments in public recreation as a social determinant of health.

Organizers say the success reflects Humboldt County’s tendency to mobilize around mutual aid and public space stewardship. For readers, that means the benefits from one cold day of putts and drives will be felt across families and playground swings in the months ahead.