Community goes the distance for food insecurity

People of all ages came to race against food insecurity at the 5k Hunger Walk at Belmont Lake State Park on July 29.

A crowd of 40 people gathered to fundraise for the charity. The event, held by the Giving Back to Community Corporation and sponsored by Arrow Exterminating, was able to raise $5,500 with the community. Arrow Exterminating was able to donate $3,000 to the organization’s efforts and has donated food to the charity in the past.

Emilian Emeagwali, founder and president of the hosting organization, hopes to put these funds toward a food pantry in the community. In the pantry, she hopes to have people from other countries to come and educate the community on their respective cultures.

“We think that if we know more about other people’s culture, we will have more tolerance,” Emeagwali said. “So that’s our goal. So, education and for people that come and collect food in the pantry to get some kind of educational awareness about each country.”

The fundraising goal for Giving Back to Community to be able to open the food pantry in Elmont is $20,000 to $30,000. This would allow the organization to pay a year’s rent to start out.

“Right now, a lot of full time workers are struggling to make ends meet,” Emeagwali said. ‘We really need people to come out to support us, or even donate to us online. That would be appreciated.”

Community members showed out to fight food insecurity locally and abroad at this year’s Hunger Walk.

Blessy Abraham strode into third place to complete the race for charity.

All ages were welcome to take the race at their own pace for Giving Back to Community’s fundraising event.