By: Steffi Broski

In Sacramento, the Run to Feed the Hungry started 15 years ago with only 800 participants. The race benefits the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Spokeswoman Kelly Siefkin says this year, more than 30-thousand people are expected to take part and they hope to raise nearly 800-thousand dollars.

 
Kelly: “Not only is it the biggest Thanksgiving Day run in Sacramento, it’s also the biggest Thanksgiving Day run in the country. And if you take into fact that probably not a lot of other countries celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s the biggest Thanksgiving Day run in the world. It’s a pretty big deal.”

 

In Stockton, the Emergency Food Bank is just as busy planning its fifth annual Run/Walk against Hunger. Federico Navarro is the food bank’s nutritional director. He says the Thanksgiving fundraisers are especially important during tough economic times.

 

 

Both food banks say the need for their services is greater than ever. Navarro says Stockton’s Emergency Food Bank has 20 percent more people asking for their assistance over last year. Kelly Siefkin says there’s been a 35 percent jump in Sacramento.



For more information on the runs, please follow these links:

http://www.runtofeedthehungry.com/about.html

http://www.runagainsthunger.org/default.htm