‘Walk to stock the closest’
November 24, 2014
Jonathan Chess
Messenger Staff Writer
This thanksgiving day, before you show your appreciation for those around you, or gather around the table to enjoy a thanksgiving meal, you can join the community to be a part of Auburn’s own, Walk To Feed The Hungry.
Walk to feed the hungry is and organized event where volunteers walk or run a specific route to raise money to purchase food for families or individuals who can’t necessarily purchase it themselves. Auburn is holding its own version, Walk to Stock The Closet.
Auburns very first Walk To Stock The Closet was in 2011 and was organized by Auburn locals Kasberg, Pam Peck, Donah Fry along with a group of friends who mainly spread the news through online social media. When the day came a total of 50 volunteers showed up for the event and ran a route through the neighborhoods near Auburn. In 2012 two divisions were created, the 10k run and a 5k walk, and 250 persons showed up.
This year, The Auburn Interfaith Food Closet has organized the event and is scheduled for thanksgiving morning at 9 a.m. It is a 5k walk/run and will start at Auburn’s Central Square. According to the President of the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet Board, Sandy Bassett, The Interfaith Food Closet serves approximately 2,600 persons per month which costs the organization $16,000 every month.
“Donations have gone down over the summer, as they usually do,” said Bassett in an interview with a staff member of The Auburn Journal. The organization needs donations to be able to purchase all the supplies, so they are requesting that when community members arrive that they bring a donation, preferably a larger amount so they can purchase fresh produce with it.
“We care about our community, the people we serve and our volunteers, also stated by Bassett. “We collaborate with other organizations that support our vision, mission, values, and strategy,” said Bassett to Auburn Journal staff member.Currently there are 19 local churches that are sponsoring the Food Closet and 180 volunteers.