FREDERICKSBURG, Va– You don’t need to be Old Mother Hubbard to know the feeling of a bare cupboard in these tough economic times. The Fredericksburg Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would like to help stock those shelves by hosting their third annual Family Fun 5K Run to benefit the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank on May 21, 2011.

The Fredericksburg Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks for donations of one non-perishable food item per participant.  Local youth from Garrisonville, Andrew Fellows, plans to handle the food collection, packaging, and delivery as part of a Boy Scout Eagle Project. In the last event, participants donated 620 pounds of food.

Open to the public, this early morning event hopes to draw community members of all ages and abilities. Registration begins at 6 AM and the race starts at 7 AM. Those wishing to pre-register may do so at www.familyfun5krun.org.  A single donation of $1 at http://fredfood.com purchases 3 meals.

Past participants stroll, run, push strollers, bring dogs, wave to one another, and create treasured memories. Some are serious athletes, pushing themselves to their limits. Others use the event as a stepping stone in their Couch-to-5K adventure. Families enjoy the opportunity to spend time together, with parents teaching a valuable lesson in charity to children. Two missionaries ran the last race in suits and ties.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long history of humanitarian aid and service. This year, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Church’s welfare program, leaders recently asked members across the world to perform a “Day of Service”. One leader remarked that human beings have a natural desire to to reach out and lend aid to those who suffer.

In 2010, the 29 year old Fredericksburg Area Food Bank distributed more than 3.2 million pounds of food in conjunction with 78 partners. This provided 2.5 million meals to those in need. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national organization that supports more than 200 Food Banks across the country. Feeding America is the largest domestic hunger relief agency in the United States. http://www.familyfun5krun.org/ http://fredfood.org/.

–Lady O