Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri hosts 6th annual “Hope for Heroes 5K”
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri hosted its 6th annual "Hope for Heroes 5K" at the Nickell Shelter in Cosmo Park and in Kirksville, Missouri Saturday morning.
The event took place at 7:30 a.m. and the Food Bank said the money raised will help support the Food Bank's veteran programs including the VIP Veteran Pack Program, which helps veterans get boxes of ready-to-eat entrees, fruit, vegetables, and snacks in easy-to-open cans, as well as toiletries like razors, body wash and deodorant.
Through the Food Bank VIP Veteran Pack Program, the Food Bank says it distributes 500 boxes to veterans across 13 counties each month.
USDA research suggests that working-age veterans are at a greater risk of experiencing food insecurity than non-veterans.
Furthermore, according to the University of Missouri’s Hunger in the Heartland Study, in 2021 18% of households accessing resources from one of the food bank’s pantry partners included someone who previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard.
The Food Bank says they are planning to expand the VIP Veteran Pack Program. "Last year we raised over $60,000 in support of veterans, so we're really excited. We think we're going to surpass that this year. We're doing our best to make sure that happens," said Katie Adkins, with the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri.
According to organizers, the event had 145 in-person participants in Columbia, 45 in Kirksville, and 20 who joined virtually. Adkins said after Saturday's events, the Food Bank raised more than $80,000 for veterans so far.
The first-place runner of the 5k in Columbia, Andy Emerson, said he runs for several people in his family. "They're the ones that have stepped up to make the sacrifice and you know, fight wars for our country. I appreciate what they are doing," Emerson said
For anyone who wants to register, organizers say it costs $35 and people can register for the 5k in person or online at sharefoodbringhope.org/hope5k. The Food Bank says they will hold another "Hope for Heroes 5K" at the Gold Star Memorial in Jefferson City on July 1 at 7:30 a.m.
