BY MCKINNON PENNELL

Mission trips can be life-changing experiences, but after the initial benefits, people often forget about them. This however does not apply to senior Hans Hinebaugh. Hinebaugh is the kicker for the Warrior football team, and in 2012, after participating in a mission trip to Mexico where he witnessed much poverty, he started the Kicking Hunger charity. The idea behind this charity:  every field goal and extra point Hans makes, local businesses and families will donate money towards feeding those who are hungry and in poverty in Cincinnati. Last season he made about $3,500.

Hans’ charity is partnered with City Gospel Mission, a Cincinnati area non-profit organization who works to break poverty and hunger in and around the city. They also provide stability through a Biblical direction, which is different. 

“I chose City Gospel Mission because I’ve been working with them through my church (Horizon Community Church) since I was about six,” said Hinebaugh.

In addition, Hans has businesses like Graeters, Kroger, and Pomegranate and Lime on board. Among the families that sponsor Hans are the Westfalls, a Mariemont family.

“When the article from the Cincinnati.com blog featuring Hans was shared by the Mariemont City Schools via Facebook, it prompted us to want to share in his effort to help feed the hungry here in Cincinnati,” states Mrs. Westfall.

In the future Hinebaugh hopes to get more kickers in the Cincinnati Hills League and greater Cincinnati area to join in on the project. Fellow kickers aren’t the only ones who can get involved though. Anyone can sponsor Hans or another kicker through various monetary levels.

“I’m shooting for about $5,000 this year. Hopefully by combining with kickers from Monroe and Fairfield high schools, we can surpass that goal,” he hopes.