Race Against Bare Cupboards 

From left, Sodexo District Manager Timothy MacTurk and UUP Albany Chapter President Aaron Major at the finish line. (Photo by Brian Busher)

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 3, 2018) – Lace up your running shoes, leave winter behind, and fight food insecurity on campus and in the community on Saturday, April 14, at the Sodexo/United University Professions (UUP) Fight Hunger 5k and Mindful Mile.

Sodexo and UUP, for the first time, are joining forces in order to raise at least $10,000, with the funds to be split evenly between the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

The 5k kicks off at 9 a.m. behind Indian Quad. The Mindful Mile starts at 9:30 a.m. Same-day registration begins at 8 a.m. Or save money and register in advance. Like and share the Facebook page.

There are two ways for students participating in Community and Public Service Program RSSW courses to earn hours by participating in the race.

Participating will earn them two hours of service time. Signup costs $10 online or $15 at the race. For additional hours, they can volunteer at the race/walk from 8 a.m. to noon for four hours of service. Contact [email protected] to sign up to work the event.

This is the fourth year that Sodexo has held the Fight Hunger 5k, raising over $30,000 for the Regional Food Bank. UUP started a walk last spring to focus attention on the issue of campus food insecurity, raising $2,000 for St. Vincent’s, which serves the community and UAlbany students who live on campus or in the Pine Hills and Eagle Hill neighborhoods.

“Bring your family and friends,” said Timothy MacTurk, Sodexo district manager. “This event is a great way to start off the running season, get in shape, and do something in the community to combat food insecurity.”

“I am really proud of the work that our chapter’s Food Pantry Committee has put into this event, and am excited to partner with Sodexo,” said UUP Albany Chapter President Aaron Major. “This is a fun, easy way to help our undergraduate students, graduate students, and contingent faculty who juggle two or three jobs to stay afloat financially and in the classroom.”

The UAlbany UUP chapter is a co-sponsor of the event, thanks to a Chapter Action Project grant through New York State United Teachers. The grant is for projects that show the union mobilizing members and working in the community.

Many corporate sponsors have contributed to the race, including: Cusato’s Pizza and Deli, Gillette Creamery, Argo Tea, Carioto, Lorenzo Food Group, Purdy and Sons and the Bonadeo Group.

For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds