Race Benefits Food Ministry

Bright orange cones lined the road and supporters on the sidelines cheered as  nearly 80 local residents started their weekend by running in a 5K race to benefit a local charity, the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Minsitry.

Participants raised nearly $4,000 in the second annual Run for Food; the money will especially go to help a new summer lunch program that the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is starting. In addition, residents in Snellville, Loganville and Grayson are served through the nonprofit.

"I have a passion for the work the SE Gwinnett Co-Op does in the community, and I wanted to support their efforts," said Grayson resident Becky Hill, who came with her daughter Nancy to run in the race.

The race, which began at 9 a.m. on April 16, started at the parking lot in Grayson. The morning after severe weather moved through the area, the sun peeked from behind the clouds occasionally, and breezes greeted runners.

Like her mother, Nancy Hill previously dedicated time to the cooperative ministry, but wanted to do more. The sophomore at University of Georgia helps put together baskets of food to give to the families in need that the cooperative ministry assists.

"I wanted to help raise money for the co-op and get some exercise," she added.

The Rev. Matthew Henning, of Community of Grace, thanked runners for waking up early to help cooperative ministry move closer toward its efforts. The cooperative ministry, which is run by , is located behind the church.

"People are in need, and children are going to have food this summer because of what you've done," Henning told participants at the end of the race.

Drake will be working with Carol Love, the summer lunch coordinator at MUST Ministries, to bring the program to the area. The program has been around for about 16 years in both Cobb and Cherokee counties. It targets children who receive either free or reduced price lunch at school, and who could benefit from having a meal program in the summer when school is not in session.

Organizers expect to feed children Monday-Friday, starting May 31 until school begins in August. Free lunches would be delivered to the child's home. Host churches act as distribution sites, where people can donate food. Volunteers check the food to ensure it is fresh, pack lunches and deliver the lunches to the homes of the children.

"About 800 lunches a day will be delivered in Gwinnett," Love said. "We are really calling for the whole community to help."

To make a contribution to the summer lunch program or for more information on how to become a volunteer contact Carol Love via email at gwinnettsummerlunch@mustministries.org.