The Baldwinsville Rotary 5K Run/Walk for Hunger will once again raise funds for the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry this November. The Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry (BCFP), based out of the First United Methodist Church, serves as many as 27,000 meals per year and up to 170 families each month.
In a recent presentation at a Baldwinsville Rotary Club meeting, BCFP Volunteer Coordinator Sally Dayger shared some of the basics about the pantry. Starting in 1978 as a school project, the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry is one of few area pantries open five days each week. They accept donations of both cash and food. Volunteers put together boxes of food that follow a menu required by the Food Bank of CNY, providing nine meals per person. The BCFP gave out over 4,500 meals just in August. While they do not screen recipients based on income, they do ask anyone requesting assistance to complete a form that asks general information.
Last year’s Baldwinsville Rotary 5K Run/Walk for Hunger raised enough for a $2,000 donation to the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry. This year, the first 250 to complete the course will receive finisher medals, and pizza, hot cocoa and treats will be available for all participants. There will also be lots of prizes for top finishers in each age group and overall. The club has also set up an online registration page at runsignup.com to make pre-registration easy, available through Nov. 10. The last chance to get early registration rates will be during early packet pick-up, where in-person registration is welcome and is $30 per person, or $20 for students. Early packet pick-up will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov 11, at Canal Walk Café, 23 Syracuse St., Baldwinsville. Race day registration will be available at a slightly higher rate from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Baker High School lobby. For more information visit baldwinsvillerotary.org, where you can also download a paper registration form or just sign up online.
There will be volunteers from the BCFP at the 5K accepting donations of both non-perishable food items and cash, and available to answer any questions about their role in our community. You can also drop off donations anytime at the First United Methodist Church, leaving them outside the main entrance by the playground if the church is closed.
The Baldwinsville Rotary Club meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays or at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the First United Methodist Church. Be sure to check the schedule at BaldwinsvilleRotary.org for special events.
