VALDOSTA — America’s Second Harvest has never ducked its responsibilities for feeding the region’s hungry people, but ducks — thousands of ducks — have helped the food bank get the job done for the past few years.
This year, a $5 duckie will win someone a $5,000 prize.
America’s Second Harvest launched its annual South Georgia Derby Duck Race this week.
Previous duck derbies have raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for the area food bank.
“This is one of our biggest fund-raising events each year,” said Frank Richards, America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia’s executive director, referring to the derby which has contributors combating hunger as they compete for prizes in a river race of rubber duckies.
This year’s first prize of $5,000 cash was donated by an anonymous donor, and one lucky duck will take the money home.
As with the past derby duck races, the race of the duckies will take place in Wild Adventures Splash Island’s Paradise River, but with a twist. Past derbies have been held on weekdays. This year’s race will be held on Saturday, April 10. Those adopting a duck will also receive discount coupons for Wild Adventures.
A $5 donation for one duck will feed one child a hot meal each evening for one week through America’s Second Harvest’s Kids Cafe programs.
Two ducks provide a 55-pound bag of food for a family of four. Five ducks ensure a senior citizen has a hot meal each day for a week, and 10 ducks equal a week of milk for 100 children.
Adding incentive to helping others, the Fifth Annual Derby Duck Race has several prizes. As with past races, there is the possibility of a mega prize of $1 million, courtesy of First State Bank; a first prize of $5,000 cash; a second prize of a $3,000 shopping spree at Steel’s Jewelry; a third prize of a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two, courtesy of Executive Travel; a fourth prize of a week’s stay at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Fla.; a fifth prize of Starbucks for a year; a sixth prize of one annual pass from Super Suds Car Wash; a seventh prize of four passports to Wild Adventures and one night’s stay at Holiday Inn Conference Center; an eighth prize of a portrait sitting from Wes Sewell Photography and a gift certificate from Classic Art and Frame; a ninth prize of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream for a year; a 10th prize of a Pepsi tailgate package; and an 11th prize of Chick-fil-A for a year.
Ducks may be “adopted” now through America’s Second Harvest, and duck certificates will be on the streets next week, Richards said.
America’s Second Harvest hopes to reach a goal of adopting all 10,000 ducks this year. Participants should also remember that all donations are tax de-duck-table.

At A Glance:
America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia’s Fifth Annual Derby Duck Race.
-- When: The race takes place 11 a.m., April 10.
-- Where: Splash Island, Wild Adventures.
-- Donations: $5, single duck; $20, Quack Pack (five ducks for the price of four); $100, Super Quacker Pack (25 ducks for the price of 20); $400, Mega Duck Pack (100 ducks for the price of 80); $10,000, Pirate Duck (call Frank Richards for details, (888) 453-4143.
-- More information, rules, etc.: Visit www.ashsga.org; or call (888) 453-4143.