The Live Out Loud End Hunger Obstacle Run took place on Saturday September 20th at Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown.
That morning, 486 runners took on 2.5+ miles of mud-laden trails and obstacles to prove that hunger in our community can be overcome.
This year’s Live Out Loud Obstacle Run was a new partnership between End Hunger In Calvert and County and Chesapeake Church’s Peake Youth Ministry – a group of a hundred plus middle and high school students. In it’s first year and after expenses, the event generated over $2,000 to help feed hungry families in Calvert County.
“End Hunger In Calvert County’s motto is “Give Where You Live”, and that’s one thing we at Peake Youth want to instill into our teenagers,” says Deborah Bertolaccini Race Director and Peake Youth Staff Assistant. “To not only make a difference in the world, but to inspire them to make a difference in their corner of the world. We want them to understand that when you “Give Where You Live” the lives that you impact are your family, friends, and neighbors.”
“The best part of the morning was watching our teens, the future of Calvert County, embrace the vision of ending hunger in our community,” says Jacqueline Miller, President of End Hunger In Calvert County. “Forty-percent of food pantry clients are under the age of 18. Whether they realize yet or not, our teens are running for their peers!”
The Live Out Loud End Hunger Obstacle Run was used to launch our community into October, and kick-off End Hunger In Calvert County Month.
A highlight of the month is the County-wide Food Drive. Every year, the entire public school system, local business, churches, and community groups rally together to restock the shelves of our local food pantries.
This year, End Hunger In Calvert County is attempting to set a new countywide record and have the largest food drive to date. They will strive to collect ONE MILLION pounds of food in just ONE MONTH.
To accompany the food drive, End Hunger In Calvert County is launching a countywide texting campaign. When individuals text FEED 20222 a $10 donation is made straight to the organization – ten dollars equals 100lbs of food. A running tally will be kept throughout the month.
In 2013, the Better Business Bureau recognized End Hunger In Calvert County as an accredited Charity, awarding us its Wise Giving Designation for meeting all 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability. During this process, they found that $0.93 of each dollar donated goes directly towards programming. When people donate to End Hunger In Calvert County they can do so with confidence!
The Live Out Loud End Hunger Obstacle Run will be an annual event being held at the end of September. For more information about the run or End Hunger In Calvert County Month, visit their website at endhungercalvert.org