5K run/walk to benefit FISH Food Pantry

Diapers, baby wipes, pet food, and fruits and vegetables.

This looks like a shopping list, but it is more of a wish list volunteers of Dundee Township’s FISH Food Pantry have put together to help them meet the demands of the coming months.

For them, the summer has been demanding. More local families have been lining up at the door of their Carpentersville-based pantry. When school is not in session, children are not receiving food from government-funded breakfast and lunch programs.

“In July, we served 558 families,” said Mary Graziano, the pantry’s president. “That translates into 2,793 people altogether. Families are getting bigger. They use to be four to five people in a family, but with the economy, more people are moving in with their relatives. Now, eight to 10 people are living under one roof.”

Graziano and other volunteers hope the demand for food will be met with the “Go Fish” Family Run and Walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee.

“Last year, we raised $400 with 240 participants,” said run coordinator Sarah Schiltz. “We’re hoping to at least meet that amount this year. This isn’t just a church event; it’s a community event.”

The same thing can be said of the need to feed families in Carpentersville, East and West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow, she added.

Runners will use the Fox Valley Bike Path for the 5K trek. When the last participant crosses the finish line, a party will be held at the East Dundee church.

Registration for individual runners and walkers is $25. For each family, a $50 donation will be collected. All the money from the run and walk will be donated to FISH. Participants are asked to bring new toiletry items with them, so the donations will begin before the runners step off.

“Toiletries cannot be paid for with food stamps,” Graziano said. “Pet food cannot be paid for with food stamps. People who are having a hard time paying for food for themselves are having a hard time buying food for their dogs and cats and they are trying so hard to keep them.”

The FISH pantry is open from 9:30-11 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is also open from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday.

For details about the run and walk send an email to: Schiltz (sschiltz20@yahoo.com) or Mel Schroeder (mel@barefootmel.com).