Runners and walkers beat the heat Saturday morning to raise awareness and money to help veterans in need.
For the first time in Jefferson City, The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri held a Hope for Heroes 5K. It coincided with the five year anniversary of the same event being held in Columbia.
Approximately 40 participants came out for Saturday's event, which started and finished at the veterans memorial on the south side of the Capital. They and the corporate sponsors of this event raised around $25,000.
Jami Wade, regional coordinator for The Food Bank, said the money raised will allow them to expand their VIP Packs program. It provides additional nutrition to veterans, including ready-to-eat entrees and soup, fruit and vegetables in easy-to-open cans. They also provide toiletries such as razors, body wash and deodorant. The Food Bank distributes VIP Packs in 13 counties, with ongoing efforts to further expand the program.
The pantry at the First Christian Church on East Capitol is where VIP packs are distributed in Jefferson City.
Food bank officials pointed to research from the University of Missouri which they said indicated 18 percent of households accessing resources from one of three of Food Bank's pantry partners in 2021 included someone who previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard.
Some veterans participated in the 5K, including Gary Zenishek, a Mid-Missouri resident who served 23 years in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
"I'm a very fortunate veteran, but some of us aren't," Zenishek said. "I've served at the (veterans) shelters and people probably need to be shocked at how some of our veterans are treated. It goes unseen and unheard a lot. Many of them keep their problems inside. They need to be able to get their feelings out."
Many who had family members who served in the military came out including Julie Gragert of Meta, who was there to honor the memory of her late father who passed away last December.
"It's important to honor them after the sacrifices they made for us," Gragert said.
Cody Pickett of Wardsville was joined by his mom and brothers and sister. They participated to honor the service of their grandparents and other family members who served.
"Veterans are such a big part of our country," Pickett said.
Wade said she was pleased at how things went and said the plan is to have the 5K not only take place in Jefferson City and Columbia, but also in Kirksville, Hannibal and Sedalia.
"The need is continuing to grow and I think a lot of that has to do with the jump in gas prices," Wade said. "Do I put gas in my car or food on the table? That's becoming a big dilemma for many people."
Wade said the Food Bank exists to help people who are having trouble extending their dollars.
"It's important for our communities to know that we are the only food bank in Missouri that charges zero dollars to any of our partner agencies or for any of our programs, so having events like this are critical to help us pay for our programs," Wade said. "We don't have (the VIP Packs program) in all 32 counties we serve, but that is our goal."
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In the accompanying video, Jami Wade, regional coordinator for The Food Bank, talks about the importance of events like Saturday's Hope for Heroes 5k, and a veteran talks about why he attended the event. See https://youtu.be/v2sgI_idzRc
Runners finish the Hope for Heroes 5K Saturday morning to raise money for the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Runners finish the Hope for Heroes 5K Saturday morning to raise money for the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
Cody Pickett, Matt Chinn, and Christopher Crull are the top 3 finishers in the innaugural Hope for Heroes 5k to raise money for the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri Saturday morning at the Capitol. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)