Photo by Dave Gorgon
Runners take off from the starting line at the start of the 2012 Happy Soles 5K Run and Walk.
TAYLOR – Registration is under way for the annual Happy Soles 5K Run and Walk set for 7:30 a.m. June 23 at Heritage Park.
The fourth annual 5K is a key supporting event for the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, a faith-based, non-profit, volunteer-operated client-choice pantry committed to ensuring that no one goes hungry or without adequate nutrition in Taylor and six surrounding communities.
The registration fee is $27 by June 22 and $30 on race day. Participants can register online at www.downriverfishandloaves.org or www.everalracemgt.com.
All participants will receive a voucher for a free meal from one of the sponsors, Pete’s Place restaurants.
Packets may be picked up between 3 and 4 p.m. at Fish & Loaves, 25670 Northline Road, Taylor, or on race day from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. at the Heritage Park pavilion. Heritage Park is at 12111 Pardee Road.
Awards will be presented to the fastest male and female overall and masters, along with the top three males and females in 15 age groups ranging from 14-and-under to 80-and-up.
The race is also sponsored by Gleaner’s Community Food Bank, Atlas Oil, the city of Taylor and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.
Race organizer Mary Beth Jakubowski said the theme of this year’s run is “Break a sweat for your neighbor.”
The Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas, president of the leadership team that oversees Fish & Loaves, said the 5K is in line with one of the missions of the food pantry.
“Fish and Loaves is all about healthier nutritious lifestyles for everybody,” he said. “Along with the food we eat, the exercise we take makes a big difference in our lives. This 5K run and walk reflects our commitment to healthier lives for everybody in our community.”
About Fish & Loaves
Originally organized in 2004 as a grassroots community initiative, Fish & Loaves opened a client-choice pantry – the first in metropolitan Detroit – in June 2008. It has been a model for many other area pantries. Fish & Loaves remains the largest client-choice pantry in southeast Michigan.
Fish & Loaves serves seven communities: Allen Park, Dearborn Heights, Southgate, Taylor, Brownstown Township, Romulus and Woodhaven. Up to 1,400 households are assisted on a monthly basis. Last year, Fish & Loaves distributed 2 million pounds of food to individuals and families.
Fish & Loaves welcomes donations of food from churches, community groups, area stores and local farmers. Much of the food that is distributed is purchased on a bulk discounted basis. Financial contributions, grants, donations by churches and fundraisers make the pantry possible. Individual and corporate contributions are welcome.
For more information about Fish & Loaves, go to the website www.downriverfishandloaves.org or call 734-442-0031.