The 9th Annual Harvest Moon Run, benefiting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s prepared and perishable food rescue program, Community Harvest, will be held on Nov. 8. This year’s 5k race will be hosted virtually due to COVID-19.
The race is typically held at Varian Orchards in East Canton, but this year, participants can run or walk the 3.1-miles from anywhere – a favorite trail or park, neighborhood or even a treadmill.
“Though we know nothing beats the scenic beauty of Varian Orchards, we hope the community knows its support of this race and local hunger-relief efforts is so important right now,” said Faith Barbato, Foodbank program director. “Our network has seen a significant increase in families needing food because of COVID-19, and the community’s generosity allows us to continue supporting the hot meal sites and shelters directly serving local families.”
All participants who register by Nov. 1 will receive a long-sleeve race shirt. Shirts can be mailed to participants for an additional fee or available at a drive-thru packet pickup on Nov. 6. To learn more about the race and to register, visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/moonrun.
The Foodbank and its network of hunger-relief programs continues to serve as a vital resource for families affected by the pandemic. Feeding America, the nation’s largest charitable response to hunger relief, projects that Stark County has experienced an estimated 38 percent increase in the number of individuals facing hunger and an estimated 46 percent increase in the number of children facing hunger because of COVID-19.
“We couldn’t do this work without our community of supporters, volunteers and food donors passionate about fighting hunger. We know it will take months, if not years, for families to rebound from this pandemic and we hope the community continues to lock arms with us for this long fight,” said Barbato.