Feeding South Florida to Host 5K in Okeeheelee Park

Event to Take Place at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach

On Saturday, Sept. 24, Feeding South Florida®, the sole Feeding America® food bank serving South Florida and largest/most efficient food bank in Palm Beach County, is hosting its 2nd annual Outrun Hunger Palm Beach County 5K. The event, which will raise funds to help end hunger in Palm Beach County and raise awareness for the issue of food insecurity, will take place at Okeeheelee Park, located at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33413.

Feeding South Florida debuted its Palm Beach County branch, Feeding Palm Beach County®, in February 2016, in response to the growing needs of the Palm Beach Countycommunity. Feeding Palm Beach County provides more than 11 million pounds of food each year to Palm Beach County alone, through direct service programs and a network of more than 100 nonprofit partner agencies throughout the county. Feeding Palm Beach County serves 199,460 individuals struggling to put food on the table in Palm Beach County — 60,340 of whom are children and nearly 40,000 of whom are older adults.

Feeding Palm Beach County is a 25,644-sq.-ft. facility, with a grand opening celebration taking place in October 2016. The facility is situated at 4925 Park Ridge Boulevard, Boynton Beach, 33426, conveniently located off I-95 and Gateway Boulevard on two acres of land.

“The Outrun Hunger Palm Beach County 5K is a great way to help our local neighbors in need of food assistance,” said Feeding South Florida President and CEO Paco Vélez. “Feeding South Florida is a 4-star rated nonprofit by Charity Navigator, with a 98.7 percent efficiency rating which measures fiscal soundness and transparency, making us the most efficient food bank in Palm Beach County. We are able to provide six meals, or $12 worth of grocery products, for every $1 donated. This is because it only costs us about 14 cents to move a pound offood. By supporting this event, folks are helping set the table for families in need of food assistance.”

Chelsea Taylor of 103.1 WIRK’s “Tiny & Chelsea in the Morning” will serve as the official event emcee.

Participants can pre-register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-outrun-hunger-palm-beach-county-5k-registration-17848884494 for just $25 until July 31. From Aug. 1–Sept. 23, the cost per registrant is $30. On Sept. 24, registration is $35 and will start at 6 a.m., with the run/walk starting at 7:30 a.m.

Participants can join the event as an individual or a team. Members of any business or organization, friends and neighbors — anyone can start a team. Medals will be given for the top three male and female places in each age category and overall best times. During the awards ceremony, the teams with the most registered participants and the team and individual who raises the most will be recognized.

Runners and walkers not only can participate in the race, but also fundraise to help end hunger in Palm Beach County, by creating a custom fundraising web page.Even those who want to help Feeding South Florida outrun hunger, but don’t want to run or walk, can support the organization as a virtual runner by creating a personalized fundraising page. For assistance in completing a fundraising page, contact Jennifer Millon, Feeding South Florida communications coordinator, at jmillon@dev.feedingsouthflorida.org.

All participants will receive an official Outrun Hunger 5K T-shirt, goody bag, and online time-tracking by Split Second Timing.

Outrun Hunger Palm Beach County 5K sponsors to date are 103.1 WIRK, Mike Sipe Entertainment Events & Productions, and Source1 Purchasing.

Event sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Heidi Reever, Feeding South Florida community investment manager, at 561.293.2515 or hreever@dev.feedingsouthflorida.org.

To volunteer at the event, contact Charlotte VanDyken, Feeding South Florida volunteer coordinator, at 954.518.1824 orcvandyken@dev.feedingsouthflorida.org.

For more information about the 2nd annual Outrun Hunger Palm Beach County 5K, visit http://dev.feedingsouthflorida.org/event/outrun-hunger-palm-beach-county-5k-4/ or contact Arelis Ferro, Feeding South Florida special events coordinator, at 954.518.1835 or aferro@dev.feedingsouthflorida.org.