Participants in the Thanksgiving spirit smile and celebrate during the Run to Feed the Hungry event. Photo courtesy of Run to Feed the Hungry

 

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The streets of East Sacramento were bustling with energy on Thanksgiving morning as the 31st annual Run to Feed the Hungry drew a record number of participants to the largest Thanksgiving Day fun run.

This year’s event, held on Nov. 28, attracted runners, walkers and virtual participants from across the region and beyond, all coming together to support a cause close to home: the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS).

The 31st annual Run to Feed the Hungry drew a record number of participants in 2024. Photo courtesy of Run to Feed the Hungry

“Run to feed the hungry is truly amazing. It’s crazy to see the amount of people who all show up to run for the same cause,” said participant Emma Harris. “This year was extra special for me because I got to run with my best friend and brother and crush the goal I had been training for.”

With options for both a 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer run or walk, the event featured a loop course starting on J Street, just west of the entrance to the Sacramento State campus. Participants had the flexibility to join virtually this year as well, receiving a bib and shirt to commemorate their support while contributing remotely to the cause.

This year’s race had something for everyone, with the addition of chip timing and the opportunity for participants to join a timed runner’s corral. Competitive runners had the chance to earn awards, with the top three finishers in each age group receiving medals, and the top overall men and women in both the 5K and 10K races receiving plaques and prize money. The event also recognized the top three masters (aged 40 and older) among both men and women, with additional plaques and prize money for their achievements.

Attendees had the option to participate in either a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer run or walk. Photo courtesy of Run to Feed the Hungry

Adding to the festive atmosphere, several live bands performed throughout the course, keeping participants motivated with music as they ran, walked, or jogged their way through the scenic route.

The annual event is not just a holiday tradition but also serves as the largest fundraiser for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing immediate relief and long-term solutions for families in need throughout Sacramento County. The funds raised help the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services continue its mission to alleviate hunger and support individuals and families in their journey toward self-sufficiency.

With just $1 able to provide three meals to a child, senior or family facing hunger, every dollar raised at the event made a significant impact on the lives of those in need. In 2023, the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Service distributed 37.9 million pounds of food, equivalent to 31.6 million meals, and provided food assistance to an average of 283,079 individuals each month. This year’s record turnout is expected to provide much-needed support to help the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Service continue its essential work in the Sacramento area.

Several live bands performed throughout the course, keeping participants motivated with music as they ran, walked, or jogged their way through the scenic route. Photo courtesy of Feed the Hungry

For more information on how to get involved with Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services or to donate to their mission, visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org/.