Pictured in the photograph from left to right – Paul Barbary, Vice President of the Board of Alton Day Care & Learning Center, eating contest winner, Kyle Hanner, and Michelle Owings, Kumar’s Kafe employee.WOOD RIVER - Kyle “The Hammer” Hanner of Wood River is quite a competitive eater, capturing 53 of 70 eating contests in which he has participated.

Alton Day Care & Learning Center was presented a donation of $500 recently by the 25-year-old man at Kumar’s Kafe in Wood River. Hanner donated his winnings from a recent contest to the center, which Keith Neuber of the center found quite touching.

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Hanner’s most recent eating contest win took place in Springfield where he consumed 4 pounds of hot wings in 7 minutes to win first place. Hanner is a lifelong friend of Sharma Kumar, the son of Ellen and Surinder Kumar, who sponsor Kyle in his competitive eating.

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“Ellen Kumar suggested that Kyle donate his winnings to the Alton Day Care & Learning Center, a not-for-profit providing quality early childhood education to children from the River Bend region,” Neuber said. “The center is celebrating its 45th anniversary of providing quality service with special events and a refreshed image.”

The center has adopted a new name, “Kreative Kids Learning Center” and will celebrate their anniversary and new image with a Family Fun Event to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 7.

Kyle Hanner will be at the event to share his story of becoming a competitive eating champion to meet and greet people and sign autographs.

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