Put Hunger on the Run!

There is a great opportunity coming up this fall to get outdoors with friends and family and at the same time help those less fortunate right here in the neighborhood. The 5th annual Scare Away Hunger 5k Run/Walk and family event to benefit Neighborhood House will be held on Saturday, October 24. The event, proudly supported by Platinum Sponsors Eagle Ottawa, Chief Financial Credit Union and Renaissance Capital Alliance, is expanded this year and will be held at a new location — The Village of Rochester Hills. All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in the chip-timed Run/Walk which starts and ends at The Village. Registration can be done online at www.ScareAwayHungerRun.org.

There’s also something for the younger members of the community: autumn family-friendly activities include trick-or-treating in The Village, a train ride, bounce house, kids’ crafts, face painting, an obstacle course by FlipSpot Gym, entertainment by RARA’s Select Performance Dance Team, Stoney Creek’s Drum Line, announcing by AMP Radio personalities, music by Ms. Carissa and more. For those not participating in the race, a $5/child (or $15/family) donation to Neighborhood House or a donation of five non-perishable items/child for the Food Pantry is requested to take part in the activities.

“The event gives people an opportunity to give back to those in need in the community and families can enjoy some autumn fun as well,” commented Kathy Losinski, Executive Director at Neighborhood House. Proceeds from the event will support Neighborhood House, a local non-profit human service organization who assists individuals and families in crisis through financial assistance, food, clothing, counseling, job coaching, budget counseling, as well as support and education to get neighbors back on financially-stable footing.

“Some people don’t realize that there are people struggling to make ends meet right here in our community – hunger doesn’t just happen in far-away places,” added Losinski. In fact, if it weren’t for the support from Neighborhood House and others, “MJ” – a local resident — isn’t sure how she would have been able to make ends meet. Things started to fall apart when MJ lost her corporate job in higher education, following her career as Fashion Director over-seeing 22 stores of a major department store chain.

“I came into your office one day in tears because I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just turned 60 years old and had been looking for work, but everyone was telling me I was over-qualified. I was receiving eviction notices but could not find a job. Thanks to Neighborhood House, I was able to get back on my feet. I was able to get food from the Food Pantry, help with my rent, and wonderful clothes from the Clothes Closet for job interviews. Then your caseworker called me about a job opening and now I’m working again!” — MJ

MJ was recently able to afford a haircut – something that was previously not possible. She has a new spring in her step. There’s an even happier ending to this story. Now MJ is helping her neighbors – she has taken a job providing caregiving services to those who need assistance.

For more information about the event or to register for the race, go to www.ScareAwayHungerRun.org. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. The Autumn Family Fun event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those interested in the family activities only are asked to provide a $5/child donation (or $15/family) or bring 5 non-perishable items per child for the Food Pantry. Visit www.ScareAwayHungerRun.org for race fees and more information.

Neighborhood House is a private, non-profit human service organization that was founded by communities of faith in 1968. Neighborhood House has grown over the years and currently services any qualifying families in need from Auburn Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and Addison Township. The agency mission is to assist the community during times of hardship, partnering with the community and other social service providers to help struggling individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency.   To learn more about Neighborhood House, visit www.RANH.org.

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Rochester Media publishes The Community Edge digital newsletter of recently posted articles from Rochester Media, a hyper-local news outlet covering all things in and around Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township. Send us you press releases and news happenings to editor@rochestermedia.com.

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