By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A “Run Against Hunger” will help feed people in need across Canadian County.
Manna Pantry, which served 13,405 people during 2022, will present a 5K fun run on Saturday, April 8 at Wild Horse Park in Mustang. The benefit race starts at 8 a.m.
“We are encouraging everybody to come, whether they run or whether they walk,” said event coordinator Sheila Spangler, a Manna Pantry board member. “We welcome everybody to come out and participate.
“Now that we’re Canadian County-wide, we’re seeing more people. The need for the Manna Pantry has grown.”
All proceeds from the April 8th Run Against Hunger benefit the Manna Pantry, which feeds hungry families and individuals in Canadian County.
The pantry, housed inside the Together We Center at 620 N Cemetery Road, serves some 500 families monthly.
“We want to get the word out that the Manna Pantry is here to help anybody that needs food – not just in Yukon, but anywhere in Canadian County,” Spangler said.
“We decided to do a fun run to get all the cities and towns we serve in Canadian County involved. This is an opportunity to help others. We would like to make this race an annual event.”
Anyone who pre-registers for the upcoming benefit run is guaranteed to receive an event T-shirt.
Pre-registration cost is $40 for adults and $30 kids.
Registration cost on race day is $45 for adults and $35 for kids.
Everyone is invited to sign up, especially competitive runners because medals will be awarded to top finishers in various age groups.
McDonalds of Yukon will provide breakfast and City National Bank of Mustang will have water for race participants. LIT Energy will offer recovery drinks and protein snacks.
Faith Clinic will be on-site to provide any medical assistance.
Any individual, business or organization making a minimum $100 gift to Manna Pantry will have their name on the race T-shirt. Commitment deadline is March 24.
Anyone interested in supporting the April 8th Run Against Hunger should call Spangler at (405) 826-3417.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Manna Pantry has seen the need more than double since moving in January 2022 to the Together We Center on the Trinity Baptist Church-Yukon campus south of Interstate 40.
Previously, the pantry served only those in the Yukon and Piedmont areas when it was near downtown Yukon. The emergency food cupboard started in 1975.
Manna Pantry is now open five days per week – Monday from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday from 3-6 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday from 5-8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Anyone who needs food should bring their current ID and proof of residency.
After Manna Pantry relocated to a 2,000-square foot space in the Together We Center, more than 800 new families from across Canadian County came to receive food.
Recipients don’t have to be jobless or homeless to shop at the Manna Pantry.
“We’re not there to judge anybody – we’re just there to help,” Spangler emphasized. “The price of food keeps going up.”
Manna Pantry relies heavily on volunteers, and more are needed. Volunteers contribute about 800 hours each month.
To volunteer, visit mannapantryyukon.com, click on “serve” and fill out the form. The pantry’s volunteer coordinator will be in touch.
Coming up Saturday, May 13 will be the annual Yukon Mail Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive that supports Manna Pantry. Last year, more than 30,000 pounds of food were collected.
For more information, call (405) 265-0193 or email info@mannapantryyukon.com
