As I sort through my emails and Facebook messages today, I find – much to my comfort – that I will not be jumping from a plane alone. And alone I mean, other than the guy I’ll be strapped to!

Thus far, 7 people have told me they plan to be at the Goshen Airport at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, to take to the skies with me. I’m thrilled to know that I’ll be in good company for this feat that actually has me terrified. Yes, I said terrified!

That said, I again remind you all that I am going to attempt to conquer my fear of heights – in probably the most extreme way possible – and raise money and awareness for a charitable organization that feeds thousands of Kosciusko County residents each month: The Combined Community Service Food Pantry.

The CCS Food Pantry serves an average of 560 families per month – which is more than 1,960 individuals!

“Food is such a huge need and such a basic need, it makes me sad,” says Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client services for CCS.

Even though CCS receives regular donations of bread from Owen’s supermarkets, eggs from Midwest Poultry, and even pizzas from Little Caesar’s, there remains a constant need for breakfast foods, peanut butter and pasta, among other foods. The cost of stocking the food pantry with adequate foods totals about $2,500 per month.

Additionally, CCS is attempting to stock the pantry with a variety of healthier foods, such as ground turkey, whole grain cereals and fresh fruit. “But those items are generally priced way out of our budget,” adds Lisenbee-Wright.

With this fundraising event, you can help CCS by donating directly to the CCS Food Pantry fund, which allows CCS staff to shop at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana where they are able to buy food for pennies on the dollar. Your donations are tax deductible.

You can also choose to skydive with me on Saturday, Oct. 27! The price of a tandem jump that day will be $185 and Skydive Great Lakes has generously agreed to donate $20 from every jump to the CCS Food Pantry.

The Goshen Airport is the site of the charity skydive and will also have a chili cook-off and be grilling out that day for everyone who comes to participate or just wants to watch!

If you are planning to skydive for the charitable event, please arrive to the airport at 9 a.m. The skydiving is planned to begin at around 11 a.m.

Also, if you’d like to get a limited edition StaceyPageOnline.com keychain, you may stop by the Warsaw office of The Papers Inc., 214 W. Market St., and leave a minimum $10 donation for the CCS Food Pantry. Checks may be made out to CCS Food Pantry, or you can leave a cash donation. All donations will be given directly to CCS.

If you donate online, you may also print out your receipt and bring it in to The Papers office and you’ll receive a keychain, while supplies last.

My goal is to provide enough funding for CCS to stock the food pantry for two months. I’m jumping from a perfectly good airplane; I ask you all to donate just a few dollars for a worthy organization.