A volunteer working in the Food for Others warehouse.
Approximately 5 percent of the people who live within Northern Virginia’s boundaries, 90,000 people, struggle with poverty.
This is according to local nonprofit Food for Others.
Food for Others is creating a 5K to bring Tysons together as a community and raise money through the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Tysons 5k Race held Oct. 19.
“We’re the largest distributor for free food in the Northern Virginia area that goes directly to individuals and families,” said Food for Others Executive Director Roxanne Rice. “We have distributed 2 million pounds of food last year to our neighbors in need.”
She said the nonprofit is raising money to fill a $60,000 hole in their budget after the Help the Homeless walk, organized by Fannie Mae, was discontinued.
Most of the food is donated, but money is still needed to transport it in trucks, pay for gas and have leverage to attract donors and volunteers.
With a little more than a month until the inaugural race, 32 people have signed up so far.
“People usually wait until a week or two beforehand,” said Sarah Crump with Food for Others. “However, we’re hoping to get 100 to 300 people.”
She plans to attend local races to advertise, in the meantime.
“We have no goal this year, money-wise,” she said. “We’re just trying to break even this year, so it’s wonderful that we have some great sponsors.”
Race Chairperson and Food for Others board member Sara Singmaster said Food for Others mission in a wealthy urban center like Tysons Corner is important.
“There’s so much success in Tysons and in Northern Virginia, but there are people struggling every day to put food on the table,” she said.
Race registration is $35 plus a $3 processing fee. Those who sign up a week and a half before the race will also get a race t-shirt by the day of the race. According to their website, those who register on race day will be able to pick up a race t-shirt at a later date.
For more information about the race, visit www.foodforothers.org.