Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to register now for the Seventh Annual Turkey Trot to be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, to benefit Elijah’s Promise and help cover the cost of meals and “Code Blue” services at its community soup kitchen this winter.
This important fundraiser is a fall tradition, and this year the Turkey Trot will feature exciting new elements. The event will be held at Johnson Park, Piscataway and will include a timed 5k run as well as a 1k fun walk for families. In addition, the fundraiser will feature: a delicious chili cook-off by Elijah’s Promise culinary staff ; a DJ; prizes for top runners and fund-raisers; and an appearance by the Rutgers Dance Team.
Check-in and registration for the run / walk is between 9 and 10 a.m. with the other activities happening from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants should use the River Road entrance at Violet Drive to Johnson Park. Timing for the run/walk is by Bestrace.com
“This year we want the Turkey Trot to truly represent central NJ’s feature run / walk to support those neighbors in our community that are hungry, food insecure and in need. Accordingly, we want to broaden the appeal of the event to attract families, casual walkers, and serious runners,” said Jim Zullo, Executive Director of Elijah’s Promise.“It’s bound to be a little chilly at that time of year so we are also adding an array of homemade chili recipes to warm folks up.”
Early-bird registration, which includes a T-shirt, is $30 for adult runners and walkers; $20 for student runners or walkers ages 15-21(with school ID); and $15 for youth runners and walkers ages 8-14. After Nov. 11, 2015, registration fees increase by $5 in each category. Kids ages 7 and under walk for free and no T-shirts are included.
On-line registration is available at: www.elijahspromise.org. If you have further questions, please call 732-545-9002, ext. 126.
Funds raised at the Turkey Trot support Elijah’s Promise’s community soup kitchen in New Brunswick, which provides meals seven days a week and makes other services available to those in need. The services include the Code Blue Program where on frigid nights the kitchen stays open to allow homeless individuals a place to seek refuge. The soup kitchen serves more than 100,000 meals each year. The organization hopes to raise $30,000 from this year’s events.
“Hunger is a year-round problem for many people, but it is exacerbated in the winter. During this time we see more people at the soup kitchen with additional needs including winter clothing, emergency shelter from the cold, and winter related health services,” said Jim Zullo. “The Turkey Trot is an important component of our fundraising for this program, enabling us to provide healthy meals and other services to those in need.”
Elijah’s Promise has used food as a tool to alleviate hunger, empower lives and invite justice for the most vulnerable members of the Central New Jersey community. In addition to the soup kitchen, it operates a culinary arts school and catering business in New Brunswick, A Better World Café in Highland Park and the Better World Market in Somerset, and connects low-income individuals and families with social and health services.
With the support of volunteers, donors and community partners, Elijah’s Promise serves more than 100,000 meals per year at its Community Kitchen and trains 50 to 60 individuals per year, many of whom previously were unskilled or low income, for careers in the food service industry.