Mark your calendar and dust off your sneakers – our 4th Annual Get Off Your CAN!  5K Run/Walk to End hunger will be here before you know it!

Date:  Saturday, June 16, 2012

Location:  Bristol Town Beach Pavilion (course through Colt State Park)

Race time:  9:00am

Registration:  begins at 7:30am

Register online today or view complete 5K brochure here!

YOUR $20 REGISTRATION HELPS US PURCHASE 200 LBS OF FOOD!

We are hosting our fourth annual “Get Off Your CAN - 5K Run/Walk to End Hunger” at 9:00 am at the Bristol Town Beach Pavilion on Saturday, June 16^th, 2012.  We need your partnership in sponsoring our 5K at one of the following levels to support our efforts in feeding hungry families in the East Bay:

Sustainer -      $1000

Gold CAN –     $750

Silver CAN –    $500

Bronze CAN – $250*

Tin CAN –        $100

Each sponsor will be recognized prominently on the race t-shirts at the corresponding gift level and in all our publicity.  Sponsors may also consider donating items to be given away to race participants on event day.  Appropriate items may include a business logo and should be suitable for all age groups.  Click here for the sponsorship application.

Funds raised with the “Get Off Your CAN – 5K Run/Walk to End Hunger!” event will be used to support the work of the East Bay Food Pantry located at 150 Franklin Street in Bristol.  Our current efforts include expanding our healthy food options for our clients and their children as part of our Access Nutrition Initiative.  We are also kicking off our Food4Kids program this summer which provides nutritious food every week for children who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year.  We are committed to helping our clients increase their understanding of good nutrition and supporting their use of healthy foods with an array of recipes, food tastings and healthy cooking classes.  We are energized by the real potential for positive impact this initiative can make in the lives of some of the most vulnerable RI children and their families.

The East Bay Food Pantry serves nearly 1,200 families representing more than 4,000 individuals struggling to put food on their tables.  EBFP is run by a small staff and over 60 dedicated volunteers who strive to alleviate hunger in the East Bay.  We rely on the ongoing support from community members and business leaders who value making a difference in the lives of others.

The EBFP is participating in the Feinstein $1 Million Giveaway to End Hunger and all sponsorships and donations collected by April 30 will dramatically increase the amount of our gift from the Feinstein foundation.  We appreciate your consideration and thank you for your support.

*Did you know that with your $250 donation we can purchase 2,500 lbs. of food from RI Community Food Bank?  Amazing!!

We held our second Healthy Cooking class on Friday, March 9th for 11 appreciative food pantry clients.  Heidi Hetzler, SNAP-Ed dietician, taught the class with the help of 2 URI student interns.

The featured recipe was “Healthy Corn Chowder” which was delicious and also low in sodium and fat.  Clients raved about the addition of thyme in the recipe for the flavor and aroma it added to the chowder.

The next classes in the series will be held on April 13th, May 4th, and June 8th from 11:00am – Noon in the Franklin Court Community Room.  Please contact the East Bay Food Pantry for additional information.