Being uncertain of where your next meal will come from is something many people in our community face every day. Addressing food insecurity is at the heart of Hillsdale Church’s “Miles for Meals 5K,” which will celebrate 10 years of helping others with this year’s event on November 5th, 2022, in Tanglewood Park, under the Christmas lights.
A Mission of Helping Others
The idea behind Miles for Meals 5K came after a Hillsdale Church youth mission trip to Chicago, IL, many years ago. “Our youth partnered with the Salvation Army in Chicago to serve chicken noodle soup and gummy bears to the homeless community in the area. We were amazed by the ministry the Salvation Army had put together and how it connected people of faith, reaching a population that was suffering so much. It moved us in a way that we committed to reaching out in our own way to those in our area who are hungry,” said Pastor Jerry Webb, Hillsdale Church.
It wasn’t long after that mission trip that Hillsdale Church began serving chicken noodle soup and gummy bears to food insecure communities in Davie and Forsyth counties. At first, the church was able financially to support the chicken noodle soup program, but as the program grew, the funds needed did, too. To put into perspective, today, Hillsdale Church prepares and serves over 25,000 bowls of homemade soup each year. And, while pots are simmering, our volunteers’ hands are also busy packing food bags for our local schools to distribute each week!
Upon the realization for the need of funds to grow their program, Hillsdale Church moved forward in a big way and they never looked back.
The Bright Lights of Tanglewood Park
In 2012, Pastor Jerry’s wife was the events coordinator at Tanglewood Park and had experience seeing the opportunity of raising awareness and funds for charities with a 5K. There’s no more festive place during the holiday season than Tanglewood, and how better to enjoy the bright lights than to go on a run?
“Along with the continued support of the Hillsdale Church family, the Miles for Meals 5K is the single fundraising event that financially supports our outreach food ministry and the countless bowls of soup and food we serve each year.” Community support has been great, with the event averaging 800 participants who come out to support the cause and walk, run, or stroll with a loved one under the Tanglewood Festival of Lights. 100% of the funds from the 5K go directly to our legacy soup program and food ministry outreach efforts connecting people in need with those who can help,” Pastor Jerry commented.
This year’s Miles for Meals 5K celebrates not only its 10th anniversary, but also how something as simple as chicken noodle soup and gummy bears can impact and change lives of both the givers and the receivers.
“The 10th anniversary of Miles for Meals 5K is expected to be our biggest and the best of all. With the festive atmosphere of the Tanglewood Lights, we will have music and food trucks, offering a good fun family time for all, whether you run or just stroll through the lights. Helping others is always in season, but there’s something extra special about doing outreach during the holidays. We want to share the message that God loves them and we love them and want to help those who are hungry to be fed,” stated Pastor Jerry.
For more information or to register for the Miles for Meals 5K, visit www.MilesforMeals5k.com.
This year’s event is on November 5th, 2022, at Tanglewood Park, Clemmons, NC.
