A Thanksgiving run/walk in San Diego raised $450,000 to help those dealing with food insecurity during the holiday season, Father Joe’s Villages announced Friday.
With more than 7,000 people running or walking during the event held in Balboa Park, the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K was described as “one of the biggest Turkey Trots in the United States (and) brought a record- breaking number of participants to the track,” officials said.
The nonprofit San Diego-based homeless services provider teamed up with Aya Healthcare for the event, which “brought individual runners, families and even dogs out to give back to their communities, with some running in themed costumes,” according to Father Joe’s.
Participants came from 41 states and four nations — including Australia, Mexico and the United Kingdom — to raise money that will pay for meals for families and individuals in need, Father Joe’s officials said.
According to Father Joe’s, most runners and walkers were from places outside of San Diego, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Elaine Ribeiro was the top female runner, while Manuel Correia won the male division, Father Joe’s officials said.
After the race, participants were treated to festivities at Plaza de Panama, including a beer garden, live music and a pop-up thrift store, organizers said. Families were able to take pictures with Santa Claus and other noted characters.
It wasn’t just humans having fun on Thursday — 200 dogs also took part in the Thanksgiving Day 5K, according to Father Joe’s officials.
Students in the Father Joe’s culinary arts program sold over 250 bread loaves in various flavors.
According to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, more than 10,000 people “experience homelessness on any given night in San Diego,” Father Joe’s officials said.
Around one in four San Diegans regularly experience food insecurity, which “affects many of our neighbors in need,” Father Joe’s officials said.
Without enough to eat, those living on the street can also suffer long- term health and wellbeing issues, factors that are considered another barrier to leaving homelessness, according to Father Joe’s.
–City News Service
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
