The legacy of Jim and Cindy Bonahoom continues to strengthen the Hastings community as their family presented a $17,000 check to the Hastings College Food4Thought program on Saturday, September 20.
The funds were raised during the second annual Jim & Cindy Bonahoom Memorial Golf Tournament, held on August 9 at Southern Hills Golf Course.
Food4Thought is a student-organized “backpack program” at Hastings College that provides weekend meals to elementary students within the Hastings Public Schools system who may be experiencing food insecurity. Each week, Hastings College students and volunteers pack and deliver meals, ensuring local children have the nutrition they need to focus and learn when they return to school on Monday.
“We founded the Bonahoom Memorial Golf Tournament to honor the legacy of our parents and grandparents, Jim and Cindy, who were lifelong members of the Hastings community and believed deeply in giving back to their community,” said Sarah Bonahoom-Herbolsheimer, Jim and Cindy’s daughter. “Choosing Food4Thought directly supports children in the community, and their dedication to the Hastings community inspired us. We’re honored to support their mission.”
The Bonahoom Memorial, with a “Swing Big, Give Bigger” mentality, aims to support youth programs, local initiatives and meaningful causes in the Hastings area.
“It’s more than a tournament; it’s a movement rooted in connection, purpose and the belief that small actions can create lasting change,” Bonahoom-Herbolsheimer said.
The tournament saw significant growth in its second year. The inaugural event in 2024, which marked 10 years since Jim and Cindy’s passing, raised $6,000 for local high school golf programs. This year’s donation of $17,000 marks a substantial increase and reflects growing support for the Bonahoom’s belief in giving back. Funds are generated through team registration fees, corporate sponsorships, donations and on-course events.
“We are immensely proud of the Food4Thought program and the positive impact it makes in Hastings,” said Rev. Doodle Harris, Hastings College chaplain and advisor to the program. “This generous gift from the Bonahoom family and their community is a powerful affirmation of the work our students do. It provides essential funding that allows them to continue serving 107 local families every week.”
The Bonahoom family has already set the date for the third annual Jim & Cindy Bonahoom Memorial Golf Tournament, which will be held on August 15, 2026, at Southern Hills Golf Course. A beneficiary for the 2026 event will be chosen in the coming months.
To get involved with the Bonahoom Memorial, email bonahoommemorial@gmail.com or join the “Jim & Cindy Bonahoom Memorial Golf Tournament” group on Facebook.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.