A horde of runners – and walkers – took off from the starting line earlier this month in Niles as the Park District hosted its annual “Harvest Hustle 5K” that doubles as a fundraiser for a local food pantry.
Niles Park District officials said there were 189 participants in the Oct. 12 event, which started at Notre Dame College Pres High School. The count was about average for the race, with officials explaining that 180-200 people sign up for the race each year.
Among the participants this year were about 46 youth – who also run or walk the full 5K, officials said.
Those signing up for the race also donate food or cleaning supplies. The donations, along with the money raised as part of the event, are given to the Niles Family Services Food Pantry, according to officials.
“Over the years together, we have raised over $25,000.00 and have collected thousands of pounds of food to help the families of our community,” Park District officials stated in an advertisement for the race.
Runners got a participation medal after crossing the finish line. But organizers also tout the importance of the funds collected and the food donated.
The ad listed cleaning supplies as a high priority needed for the food pantry. Paper goods, including plates and utensils, were also on the list.
“In our community there are many people, young, elderly and in-between, who do not have the resources to feed themselves or their families adequately,” the advertisement reads. “The Niles Family Services exists to aid those who need food, especially on an emergency basis. We want to make sure that every person has the food they need to sustain themselves.”
