Bring food to Glen Ellyn Turkey Trot to aid local pantry

Glen Ellyn Park District will sponsor its annual Turkey Trot Thursday, where residents of all ages can run, walk or jog five miles before they fill up on turkey and mashed potatoes.

The Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road. It is a free predictor race, where runners can record their predictions on how long it will take them to finish the run.

Once the run is over, the two participants who most accurately predict their times get a treat. Residents only get up to an hour to finish the Turkey Trot, and they cannot take timing devices with them on the run.

This year's Turkey Trot includes a new, charitable feature: guests will be able to bring nonperishable food items to the event, which the park district will collect and then donate to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

"It is a holiday race, we wanted to give something back to the community," Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Services Jeannie Robinson said. "You're not paying anything to be part of the race, so we thought this might be a good way to give back to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry."

The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry serves Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Glendale Heights, Lisle and Lombard.

Pantry Executive Director Susan Papierski said the collaboration helps raise awareness about the pantry's services and lets residents know there are always people out there who need food.

Although she said the pantry gets an influx of donations during this time of year, it's also a time where people are "particularly in need" of it.

"School has just started, there's a lot of expenses. Christmastime and the holidays always bring anxiety and a lot more expenses, and it's just always hard to make ends meet," she said.

"So we need the extra food this time of year, and it's just really great how the community steps up and helps us provide that."