Lakeland High School students are racing to fight hunger in the Rathdrum area.

The Frozen 5K will be Saturday, Jan. 12 at Lakeland High School. The race begins at 9 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Rathdrum Lions Club’s Nutritional Weekend Backpack Program, which provides food to area elementary school students who would otherwise go hungry during weekends.

“We want to feed as many students in our school district as possible,” said Tiera Youngdell, a Lakeland teacher and adviser to the Lakeland Leadership class, which organized the run.

For $180 the program can send a child home every Friday with enough food to last through the two and three-day weekends for an entire school year. Youngdell said her students hope to raise enough money to sponsor 72 children.

“We want everyone in the community to work together to provide for kids who are in need,” said Sarah Boyers, a junior at Lakeland and ASB vice president. “It creates an opportunity for people in our community to directly help kids who don’t have access to food outside of school.”

In addition to feeding elementary students, the Frozen 5K is also part of Lakeland’s efforts in the upcoming Battle for the Paddle, a spirit competition between students at Lakeland and Sandpoint high schools.

This is the third annual Battle for the Paddle. Students compete in a number of categories, from rap battles to basketball games. As part of the competition, each school also fundraises for a charity of their choice.

“Its main focus is to create camaraderie and bring our communities together,” Youngdell said.

The entry fee for the Frozen 5K is $20. The first 100 people to register will receive a free shirt.

To register for the Frozen 5K, contact Tiera Youngdell at 208-755-1857 or tyoungdell@lakeland272.org.