Run to Feed The Hungry!

What are you plans for Thanksgiving morning? Start asking around, and you’ll likely hear one answer repeated again and again: “Run to Feed the Hungry.”

This event benefiting Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is a Sacramento tradition. Families from our town turn out by tens of thousands to take part in the biggest Thanksgiving Day race in the United States.

Parents with strollers, professional runners, high school athletic teams and out-of-town guests can all be found sprinting, strolling and jogging their way through East Sacramento.

The 5K and 10K fun run and walk is expected to draw nearly 30,000 participants this year. The event, which is owned and operated by SFBFS, raises funds to support eight different programs including food assistance, clothing, mother-baby, adult education and more.

These programs offer free goods and services to more than 20,000 men, women and children in need every month.

SFBFS has owned and been the sole beneficiary of Run to Feed the Hungry since its inception in 1994. Thanks to additional donations, generous sponsors, loyal participants and a very large number of volunteers, the event is able to operate with a very low overhead, and 100 percent of the profit benefits programs at SFBFS.

In 2009, nearly $850,000 were raised for SFBFS programs and services. The event will celebrate its 17th anniversary on Nov. 25, and we hope to see you there.

The registration fee is $35 per person or $20 for children 15 and under and includes a long-sleeved technical shirt designed by a Sacramento artist.

Out of town for the turkey holiday and can’t make the run, but still want to be involved? Become a virtual runner. For just $20, a virtual runner can sleep in, visit relatives out of town and even skip the exercise. And we’ll still mail you the cool shirt.

Want to get everyone at the office involved? Have an active boy scout troop? Belong to a group that loves to give back? Sign everyone up as a team. The group receives specialized shirts with just your logo on the back, great parking, a team photo, a kickoff breakfast and more.

Individuals wanting to make an even greater difference in the lives of families in need can take part in the give and win challenge. Run participants who raise donations to benefit SFBFS earn tickets to be entered into various drawings to win amazing prizes such as tickets to see the Sacramento Kings, an iPad, a flat-screen TV, bikes, Run to Feed the Hungry gear and more.

More information about this exciting event and all the ways to get involved is available online at runtofeedthehungry.com.