Hitting the Pavement
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 29, 2018) – It was a winning combo.
Sodexo joined forces with the faculty/staff union, United University Professions (UUP), to host the Fight Hunger 5k/Mindful Mile last month.
The race attracted 151 participants from on campus and the community, as well as several from out of state, exceeding its fundraising goal of $10,000.
The funds will be split evenly between the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
“This was our best year ever thanks to our partnership with UUP and all of the resources they dedicated to race day,” said Sodexo Resident District Manager Timothy MacTurk. “With over $10,000 raised, the charities supported can produce over 40,000 meals to our community. A great result that we are all very proud of.”
UUP Albany Chapter President Aaron Major was also pleased with the outcome.
“I’m really proud of the time and energy that our members have put into supporting this event and eager to continue working with Sodexo to combat food insecurity — something faced by our own students, part-time faculty and local community members,” said Major.
The total was five times the amount raised last year by UUP’s initial walk to fight campus hunger. UUP contributed to this year’s race with funding from a Chapter Action Project grant, awarded by statewide UUP through NYSUT.
The winner of the men’s 5k race was: Ross Wightman of Chatham with a time of 17:09. The winner of the women’s 5k race was: Kim Seabury of Old Chatham, with a time of 22:47.
Major placed third overall with a time of 18:20.
For a complete list of runners and their times, see: https://bit.ly/2KHW7eM.
The walk helped to raise awareness about the nationwide problem of food insecurity on college campuses. St. Vincent’s Food Pantry, 984 Madison Ave., Albany, serves the Albany community, including UAlbany students who live on campus (including the apartments at Empire Commons and Freedom Quad) or those who live in the Pine Hills and Eagle Hill neighborhoods.
Fight Hunger 5k sponsors, in addition to UUP, were: Cusato’s Pizzeria & Deli, Gillette Creamery, The Bonadio Group, Argo Tea, Carioto Produce Distribution Center, Lorenzo Food Group and Purdy & Sons.
Photos by Karen Mattison, United University Professions.
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