Working to ‘Stamp out Hunger’

If you go:

What: Stamp Out Hunger 5K

Where: The Medford Municipal Building on Union Street, across the street from Freedom Park.

When: Sept. 26

Cost: $25 to $30 depending on the day.

How: Register online at www.lmsports.com or drop off your registration form at the courtesy desk at the Shop Rite of Medford on Route 70.

“A lot of times hunger is overlooked as a public health problem in this area,” said Renee Zallie, director of health and wellness and owner of the ShopRite of Medford. “With the needs that are out there and our expertise in the area, we feel that we can make an impact and raise awareness.”

Zallie and her husband David own the ShopRite of Medford, and every year for five weeks starting the last week of August and going through September, the group links with General Mills and creates a collaborative event to “stomp out hunger.”

Each year, they create a new idea for the event in hopes of raising more money than the previous year to feed the hungry in the local community.

“Myself and my staff of dietitians try to brainstorm something new for our annual event, and this year we tried to tie health and wellness into feeding those in the area that need it,” Zallie said.

This year’s five-week campaign will be a 5k run that will be held on Sept. 26. Zallie has her doctorate in wellness and health, and she has made it a point to encourage her ShopRite to make a large commitment to this field.

All of the proceeds raised will go to the ShopRite Partners In Caring fund, which is distributed throughout the South Jersey Food Bank system.

ShopRite Partners In Caring is a year-round, community-based, hunger-fighting initiative that works with more than 50 food industry manufacturers to provide nearly $3 million annually to qualified charitable agencies in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

A number of ShopRites from the region participate in this campaign, and by teaming with General Mills, it enables the top 40 stores that participate to pick two employees to put on the newest Cheerios box.

Since its founding in 1999, ShopRite Partners in Caring has donated nearly $37 million to more than 1,700 charities, including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, child care centers, battered women’s shelters, senior citizen programs, drug rehab centers, programs for the mentally and physically disabled, after-school programs and other organizations that aid those in need.

Last year, the ShopRite of Medford held a family fun day and community flea market and was able to raise $2,100. This will be the first year of the race.

“There are so many things that happen in this town in September on the weekends,” Zallie said. “We figured this run would be held early in the day so families that have stuff going on can still do those things.”

They will be setting the bar high this year, making the goal to raise $5,000. With the sponsorships it has been receiving from local businesses, this objective does not seem too farfetched.

Zallie and her crew could not say enough about the contributions made by customers who donate or about her employees who run the event.

“Seeing how all of your employees really come together, driven to beat the year before all for a great cause is really something. It is a new adventure each year and can really help raise awareness to stamp out hunger. Any help we can get is always appreciated,” Zallie said.

ShopRite is still searching fot more runners for the event; it wants to get as many as possible.

For those who are not able to participate in the 5k, there is also the option of a more leisurely “one-mile fun run/walk.”

Participation in the 5K will cost $25 by Sept. 18 and $30 on race day and includes a 5K-tech shirt. The one-mile walk is $10 before Sept. 18 and $15 the day of the race.

The start/finish location for the certified 5K course is the Medford Municipal Building on Union Street. Parking will be available there and across the street at Freedom Park.

Those who are interested can register online at www.lmsports.com or drop off their registration form at the courtesy desk at the Shop Rite of Medford on Route 70.

There will be awards distributed to top male and female winners in each age group. The age groups are 12 and under, 13 to 15 years old, 16 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70.

Awards will include a medal and a $75 gift certificate for the Running Co. for the male and female who finish in first place, a medal and a $50 gift certificate for the Running Co. for the male and female who finish in second place, and a medal and a $35 gift certificate for the Running Co. for the male and female who finish in third place.

The event is set for rain or shine. Check in for the run will be from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. The 5k run will start at 8 a.m. and the one-mile fun run/walk will start at 8:30 a.m. The awards ceremony will be held at 9:15 a.m.