Northern Illinois Food Bank's 10th annual Fight Hunger 5K/10K Run returns April 22

Northern Illinois Food Bank's 10th annual Fight Hunger 5K/10K race, presented by Glanbia Performance Nutrition, returns on April 22 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

More than 1,200 participants, volunteers, sponsors and spectators will come together for a good cause - to help solve hunger in Northern Illinois.

Runners and walkers of all levels will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful course through Cantigny Park leading to the post-race festival where they are greeted by cheering spectators, music, sponsors, food trucks and a complimentary beer or non-alcoholic beverage.

The Food Bank aims to raise over $300,000 from the family-friendly event and thanks to generous sponsors, including presenting sponsor Glanbia Performance Nutrition, returning for the second year, they are well on their way.

Thanks to an anonymous generous donor, Fight Hunger 5K/10K donations will be matched up to $50K.

Every $1 raised can help provide $16 worth of groceries with the match. Participants can build a team or have some family fun.

The on-site course is stroller-friendly and participants are welcome to enjoy the event at any pace they choose.

"We are experiencing historically high numbers of neighbors coming to us and our network due to inflation, increased expenses for food, fuel, utilities and the recent ending of SNAP emergency benefits," said Julie Yurko, president and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank. "We are incredibly grateful for all of our runners, walkers, volunteers, and sponsors helping us fight hunger throughout suburban and rural Northern Illinois. It is just another example of our community coming together to help each other."

This year, runners and walkers will have the option to participate onsite at Cantigny Park or from anywhere as a virtual participant.

The cost of registration is $45 . Each participant will receive a variety of perks with their registration including; 2023 Fight Hunger T-shirt, commemorative finisher medal, one finish-line drink, compliments of Heartland Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices available), $2 food truck voucher and personal fundraising page.

For registration information, sign up to volunteer or donate, visit runsignup.com/Race/Info/IL/Wheaton/FightHunger5K10K. The website also includes a map of the course, packet pick-up dates/time, and information about the post-race festival.

For the past 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Its vision is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, they serve residents in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 250,000 meals a day.

They bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help us evaluate, repack, and distribute food. They also partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford and Joliet.

Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Glanbia Performance Nutrition is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glanbia, a global nutrition company. GPN's mission is to inspire people everywhere to achieve their performance and healthy lifestyle goals through their leading health and wellness brands, which include Optimum Nutrition, SlimFast, think!, Isopure, Amazing Grass and BSN, among others. Global revenues for GPN in 2021 were approximately $1.4 billion. Visit glanbiaperformancenutrition.com or glanbia.com to learn more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.