Run to Feed the Hungry

2009 Run to Feed the Hungry photos- Part I

2009-11-27T23:28:34Z

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services welcomed around 29,000 participants in their sixteenth annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day. Here are a collection of photos taken by The Sacramento Press along with participants' photos from the run submitted to us.

As the sun comes up Thanksgiving morning, trucks set up the time marks along the race route on the CSU, Sacramento campus

SFBFS volunteers prepare the after-party area to re-fuel runners and walkers

Corporate teams/sponsors gather in the crowded VIP tent to have group photos taken

Corporate teams have their team photos taken

Teams fuel up with doughnuts, bananas, coffee, and energy bars provided by SFBFS

A RTFTH supporter had his own unique way of fundraising without running

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and SFBFS President Blake Young welcome runners to the 2009 race from above

Families and friends visit while they wait for the run to begin, taken by Tonja Field

Two of Voyage Home Loans team members: Loan Officer Paul Thomas gives the Run to Feed the Hungry a big thumbs up! Business Manager Ryan Lucia is getting pumped up with pre-race AC/DC, taken by Ryan Lucia

5K participants wait for the race to begin, taken by George Raya

and they're off! The 5K run/walk begins

Men, women and children start on their 5K walk, taken by George Raya

A band provides entertainment for runners and walkers, taken by Tonja Field

The sun was shining as runners ran or walked their way through the scenic route, taken by Rachael Field

A runner gets into the Thanksgiving spirit, taken by Rachael Field

See comment below for link to Part II of the photo series or click on the "Run to Feed the Hungry" storyline at the top of the page

Why did you Run to Feed the Hungry this year?

2009-11-28T21:59:47Z

The Sacramento Press at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' 2009 Run to Feed the Hungry we and had the pleasure of meeting thousands of run participants that morning. Whether it was to support SFBFS, get exercise, spend time with loved ones, or a combination of all of those reasons, here are some of them. We asked visitors that stopped by our booth to let us know, why did you Run to Feed the Hungry?

Nikki Carlson, Sacramento
"We participated as a way to feel like we gave something back to those who go without during the holidays in our community. It's a small gesture, but it ends up making a big difference! And It made us feel great the whole day!"

Darcy Smith, Sacramento
"To run for a good cause"

Laura Smith, Sacramento
"I did the Run to Feed the Hungry this year because of all of the hardships that people have gone through this year, many people lost their jobs and their homes. It was so great to see how energized and motivated people were to run. It was so much fun!"

Keith Rau, Sacramento
"To be part of a good cause"

Veronica Wogec, Sacramento
"I wanted to contribute to people that have much less than we have. I wanted to also support and encourage my family to continue to support charities and events similar to the 'feed the hungry' run."

Ronald Bariios, Lodi
"Wanted to be with family and had an outrageous fun time!"

Tony Prakash, a member of the CENTURY21 Select Real Estate Inc. California team
"...To do whatever I can to give back to the community. 'Give much gather often." There are many people who have had the worst years of their lives in the recent years. Those of us who can make it a better holiday season for them and their family should do whatever they can to help those in need, that's the ultimate gift of human being; to lend a hand, run for a cause, donate to feed the less fortunate."

Ryan Smith, Roseville
"I did run to feed the hungry to give something back to the community. I have never run for a charity and being Thanksgiving I felt like giving something back. I try and do atleast one good deed on Thanksgiving and what better way then to give back. Plus it was nice to get up early and run, seeing all the people out on the streets cheering was perfect. You couldn't ask for a better race. Being with friends and seeing friends while racing was perfect. Knowing that everyone there contributed something back was a good feeling."

Tonja Field, Rocklin
"I am participating this year because it has become a tradition on Thanksgiving morning to me. This will be my eighth year participating and it goes beyond getting some activity before I stuff myself full of food. I also like the fact that each year it is growing and raising more and more money to feed people who wonder what and when their next meal will be. I am so thankful for knowing I'll never go without food and I hope my small contribution will help someone else be on their way to feeling the same way! I hope to continue this tradition when I have my own family!"

Loverage family, Sacramento
"We came to do a good thing for the people in our community and to run as a family."

Other responses given to us on race day:

"My husband, son and daughter are running and we thought it was a good way to help people"

"I'm a volunteer [for SFBFS] and want to keep doing this until I'm old and fragile."

"To support the food bank. I've been here for 10 to 12 years. I want to support all the good work they do."

"I'm on the cross-country team for Capital Christian and we ran as a team."

"The run was hard but fun. It's a good cause and I'm getting in a great workout before I enjoy Thanksgiving tonight."

"To compete and try to beat my brother!"

"To support a really good local charity and to be part of my community"

"[I] Sporadically came from Hawaii to support Father [Dan] Madigan and his cause."

"I did the run because Thanksgiving has become commercial and about taking and I wanted to give something back."

"I wanted to support a local charity and for my own health and fitness."

"I did cross country and I want to help my time."

"[The run is] something for me to do with my family on Thanksgiving."

"[The run is] a fun thing to do for Thanksgiving and to help the cause."

"It's my first official run and it's a great way to help the community."

"To get involved in the community and give back."

"Biggest motivator was for the cause, a fantastic way to go about it. It's a great event [and] I'm really impressed."

"This is my motivator to get back in shape after the birth of my baby and I might as well do it for a good cause."

"To feed the hungry and I want to start doing more racing, getting in shape and getting a good time..."

"Because I can't race but I'm here to help the food bank. I donate every month. Every dollar I spend counts as $10."

"It's personal to me. My family came from poverty and I have sixteen brothers and sisters. Today we are renting but not in the streets. We donated two turkeys this year."

"To support the community. It's a great cause and a great way to start the day."

"Several reasons; to be in shape, something different on Thanksgiving, and help feed the hungry."

"I like this event so much I am home from [Washington] D.C. just to do the race. Great community feel."

"It's the only way to get my daughter to come visit."

"To share love to all of those I can give back to and for Father Madigan."

"This race goes with thanking like stuffing goes with Turkey."

"I'm here doing something special with my granddaughter that she will always remember."

"A healthy thing to do on Thanksgiving. It's inspiring to see so many people for this cause."

"To help feed the hungry is a great cause and I love doing it."

"To help the Run to Feed the Hungry. It's an annual thing we do together."

"To show my kids some community service."

"We are here today to support the SFBFS."

"i'm here for Dave Kilmer who passed from Lymphoma. We want his family to know we haven't forgotten still."

"It's been a rough year for everybody and it's a great way to help."

"It's my first time and it's a beautiful day. I want to start Thanksgiving off with a good thing."

"It's my first time and it's a great way to give back to the community and SFBFS."

"To give back and be part of something special."

"To help benefit the community and help those who are struggling..."

"To support the SFBFS and do the run with my family."

"To set an example for my children."

"I'm here to give my thanks to God by helping others."

"I used to volunteer and decided to run this year to continue giving."

"For Honors English and because it's Thanksgiving and everyone should have food."

"To help those that are hungry and representing my family to support those in need."

"I love giving to people less fortunate."

"Charity and to burn calories."

Why did you participate in the run? Leave your comments below!

Photos: Ben Ilfeld, COO and co-founder of The Sacramento Press talks to SFBFS on race day, The Sacramento Press RTFTH booth, and team Sacramento Press

How Do I Exit My Neighborhood During Run to Feed the Hungry?

2009-10-27T21:11:16Z

Run to Feed the Hungry 2009 Race Zones/Areas

How Do I Exit My Neighborhood During Our Race?

We encourage you to avoid driving in your neighborhood between 8:40 am – 10:20 am. If you must drive, please allow us to provide you with the following instructions so that you may safely and efficiently leave your neighborhood.

Area 1 – Use “D” Street and head to the corner of 39th St & McKinley Blvd. A police officer will guide you across McKinley Blvd. to “C” Street once there is a gap in runners. Take a left turn, only, once you reach “C” Street. (Note: runners will arrive at the corner of 39th & McKinley Blvd. at approximately 9:05am).

Area 2 – Take “H” St. to 36th Street. Go right – north - on 36th St to McKinley Blvd. (a police officer will guide you across when there is a gap in runners) and continue on 36th Way). Turn left onto 39th St. to “C” St. Take a left turn, only, once you reach “C” St. (Note: runners will arrive at the corner of 36th St. and McKinley Blvd. at approximately 9:04am).

Area 3 – Exit from any street onto “C” St. Take a left turn, only, once you reach “C” St.

Area 4 – Exit from any street to Elvas Ave. Turn left or right onto Elvas Ave.

Area 5 – Your area will be affected between 8:48am – 9:45am. Please avoid driving during this time period. If you must drive, we will have police officers and/or course monitors to safely guide you through an intersection when there is a gap in runners.

Area 6 – Your area will be affected between 8:45am – 9:30am. Please avoid driving during this period. If you must drive, exit on to “H” St., turn left and head to corner of “H” St. and Alhambra Blvd. A police officer will safely guide you through the intersection when there is a gap in the runners.

Area 7 – Your area will be affected between 9:10am – 10:00am. Please avoid driving during this time period. If you must drive, consider parking your vehicle across “M” St. ahead of time and then exit to Folsom Blvd.

Area 8 – This is a difficult one. Your area will be affected between 8:43am – 10:45am. If leaving between 8:43am – 9:10am, we recommend heading north to “D” St. and taking “D” St. to the intersection of 39th St. and McKinley Blvd. A police officer will guide you across to “C” Street. Turn left on “C” St. only. If leaving after 9:10am, you’ll have to wait until the last walker makes the left turn onto 45th St. before heading up J St. Then you may turn south onto Folsom Blvd. at 46th or 47th St. or simply cross J St. at 46th, 47th, 48th or 49th Streets heading toward Folsom Blvd.

Area 9 – Your area will be affected between 8:40am – 9:45am. Prior to 9:00am, you may cross H St. and exit to Elvas Ave. using any street. Once at Elvas Ave., you can go left or right. After 9:00am, you will need to wait for the 5k runners/walkers to clear 50th & J St. before exiting south toward Folsom Blvd. Our 5k participants should clear 50th & J St. by 9:45am.

Area 10 - River Park Residents: You may exit from Carlson Drive to H Street before 7:15 am and turn right onto 57th Street to reach Elvas Avenue. If leaving River Park after 7:15 am River Park residents must exit via Camellia Ave and head east over the H Street Bridge. Guests of River Park residents can enter River Park by travelling over the H Street Bridge and entering on Camellia. Guests and River Park residents must tell the police officer stationed at Cadillac Drive (the last street before H Street Bridge) that they are headed to River Park. The officer is instructed to allow only River Park traffic to cross the Bridge between 7:15am-10:30am.

Run to Feed the Hungry 2009 Race Course

All information and maps provided by Rich Hanna, Race Director for Run to Feed the Hungry

2009 Run to Feed the Hungry photos- Part II

2009-11-27T23:51:17Z

Continued from Part 1

As participants near the finish, bystanders cheer them on and hold signs of support and thanks

Kevin Johnson hangs out on the sidelines as participants complete the race

5K runners and walkers finish the final stretch of Run to Feed the Hungry

Supportive onlookers wait for runners to cross the finish line, taken by George Raya

Participants pour Into the end zone of RTFTH, taken by Laura Smith

View from above the sidelines as racers finish, taken by George Raya

10K run participants, taken by Michael Fitzgerald

Voyage Home Loans Team Goodness at the Finish Line (left to right): Bus. Dev. Manager Ryan Lucia, Dir. of Customer Relations Nicholas Lucia, Loan Officers Joe Bria and CEO Josh Harmatz, submitted by Ryan Lucia

Crowds gather and cheer on participants

Thank you to everyone who participated and made the 2009 Run to Feed the Hungry a huge success! Also, a big thank you to everyone who submitted their photos to The Sacramento Press.

Raffle for the Rock

2009-10-26T23:33:15Z

Most people probably wouldn't just give away a $25,000 ring without thinking twice about it. But Andrea Stirling and AJ Elftmann did.

In June, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) hosted a text message scavenger hunt, "The Race for the Rock," which led 1,000 Sacramentans around the city following a series of clues leading to the ring. The race raised more than $4000 for the food bank.

The "Hearts on Fire" ring, donated by Rogers Jewelers, was eventually found by long-time Sacramento residents and couple, Stirling and Elftmann. The timing of their win was made even more special since they were still celebrating Elftmann's two-year remission from Hodgkins Lymphoma just a couple months prior.

The couple decided the ring could be put to better use than in its box, where it sat for a couple weeks after the win. They handed the ring back over to SFBFS and now one lucky winner has the chance to win the rock yet again.

"Donating it is the best thing to do," Stirling told SFBFS. "I know the money raised from an event around this ring could help provide food, clothing and education to families in need right now."

SFBFS was founded in the basement of a church in Oak Park by Father Daniel Madigan and has grown to a staff of 35 and more than 4,000 volunteers annually. There are two Sacramento locations, one in Oak Park and one in North Sacramento. In 2008, the food bank began a mobile distribution food service through their Food Assistance program.

While SFBFS is mostly known for their food services, SFBFS delivers more than just nutrition to community members in need. Some of the various services offered include daycare, adult education, art programs, as well as clothing provided at no cost to those who need it.

Elftmann and Stirling initially heard about the race because they regularly participate in SFBFS' Run to Feed the Hungry. When asked about the win, Stirling described it as "Shocking! I don't think I stopped shaking until the next day."

Raffle tickets, which are being sold for $5, will be sold at several locations (see below). Tickets went on sale September and will continue to be sold until Dec. 30. Participants must be at least 18 years old and there is no limit to the amount of tickets that can be purchased. The winner will be drawn on Jan. 4, 2010. In addition to the grand prize, Rogers Jewelers will be donating several other prizes.

Another Race for the Rock is scheduled for June 5, 2010.

Tickets can be purchased at these locations:

SFBFS' Oak Park location: 3333 Third Ave., Sacramento, CA, 95817/Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SFBFS' North Sacramento Location: 2469 Rio Linda Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815/Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All Sacramento Rogers Jewelry Co. locations: www.thinkrogers.com.
All Sacramento REI locations the week prior to Thanksgiving.
Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day near the CSUS entrance/ 7 a.m. until noon.

For more informatin, visit the Race for the Rock website

Image courtesy of Rogers Jewelery Co.