Bloomingdale the site of charity 5K race to stop child hunger

Bloomingdale and the Illinois chapter of Kids Against Hunger will host a charity 5K run on the Indian Lakes Walk Path on Aug. 28.

"The Race to Stop Hunger," was created by Kids Against Hunger, a nonprofit aimed at reducing hunger and nutrition deficits in children worldwide by distributing food packages.

This year, the event will be held in-person on the village-owned walk path on the former golf course at Indian Lakes hotel on Schick Road, and virtually via Zoom at 9:15 a.m. It is expected to draw hundreds of participants doing either option, including Village President Franco Coladipietro.

"It's nice to support a good cause and my community," Coladipietro said.

The Kids Against Hunger's Illinois office was in Roselle until the Metro 19 apartment complex was approved in January. The organization's office is now in Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale.

Associate Director Nancy Thielmann said the race is the organization's biggest charity event, bringing in an average of $10,000 annually. She said the new venue is a good location, and Bloomingdale officials have been great partners to the organization.

"We still are able to give people a route that is easy to follow and is easy to see and cheer people on," Thielmann said. "It was a great relationship from the beginning. I think this event will be a win-win for Bloomingdale and our organization."

The event will differ depending on which method a participant chooses. The in-person event is a traditional 5K run, but those participating virtually can run, bike or play any recreational activity for the duration, such as golfing on a separate golf course.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person participation and staff is expected to be limited. Thielmann said there will be at least 35 volunteers for the in-person 5K compared to 60 or 70 volunteers from previous years, and she expects 200 total participants. Thielmann thinks the virtual method has worked wonders for the race since implementing it.

"People can wrap their head around it and think that they can make a difference in their own way," she said. "We enjoyed having people all across the country participating in the event."

Registration will be available in the coming days.