COMMUNITY Insight Presented by Northem inos Food Bank Foodie 5Ks help support the hungry Lace up your running shoes and FINISH come out to support Northern Ilinois Food Bank and Daily Herald's Fittest Loser challenge by participating in one of this years Foodie 5Ks to raise money for hungry neighbors Our goal is to raise $250,000 which goes directly to Northem linois Food Bank's programto feed the hungry, said Kate Thomas, special events coordinator for the organization The two Foodie 5Ks in the Chicago area are Saturday, April 27, at Cantigny Park in Wheaton and Saturday "Volunteers inspect, sort, and package all our June 1, at Independence Grove in Libertyville. food for distribution. It's amazing what two hands communications manager for the Food Bank. Can accomp lish." This is a great opportunity for us to partner with the Daily Herald for a good cause and to give A non-profit organzation, Northem Ilinois those participating in the Fittest Loser program Food Bank, with the help of the community a venue to get out in the community to help feed provides food for more than half a million people our hungry neighbors, Thomas said. in 13 counties each year. Food manufacturers The 5K races, open to everyone, are a timed local grocers, corporations, foundations and individuals donate food and funds to feed run and walk that ends with a festival full of local restaurants, chefs and other race sponsors and sorts the food that is then distibuted to a handing out free food samples to all participants. Also look for the exciting Kid's Zone with face painting and an appearance by some Kane he Food Bank colects network of more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, as well as senior and youth meal programs Also. two Mobile Pantry trucks act as traveling County Cougars and their mascot along with the mascot for the Chicago Steel. 's a nice event and it's fun for the whole family Thomas said food pantries' for areas that are not served b Chicago Steel brings the kids some hockey pucks, and they can win prizes if they hit them el brings the kids some hockey Food Bank also offers nutrition classes a food pantry or soup kitchen. Northern Ilinois Food Bank also offers nutrition classesa nto the net The Food Bank also provides nutritious mea to kids after school and during the meals. Because senior citizens often must choose between expensive medications or food on the table, the Food Bank works with local housing complexes to provide monthly boxes of non-perishable food for them. At the Foodie 5Ks, we have the chance to tell people about the Food Bank and the volunteer opportunities we have, said Elizabeth Gartman, summer along with food-illed backpacks for weekend To leam about Northern Ilinois Food Bank, log on to www.SolveHungerTodayorg. To sign up for a Foodie 5K, go to www.SolveHungerToday.org/Foodie5K. NORTHERN I FOoD BANK