Elkridge Goes the Distance to Feed Its Own

On Sunday morning, the  raised more than $1,800 to feed the needy in Elkridge.

To participate in its fundraiser, called "Summers End 5K Family Run/Walk," people paid between $10 and $20, with 100 percent of the money benefiting the food pantry.

More than 130 people registered for the event.

"We believe in helping your neighbors," said Lori Gerus, who organized the event. "And it takes a lot of people."

In recent weeks, 50 to 60 families have visited the food pantry on nights when it's open, stocking up on non-perishables, dairy, produce, bread, meat and other products to take home.

Unaffiliated with the government, the  functions solely through the support of the community.

There is no cost or qualification for service; all the pantry requires is that recipients live in Elkridge.

"We realize anybody can be in this position," said Gerus. "Nobody is exempt from being in need."

At the Sept. 18 Summers End 5K Family Run/Walk fundraiser, the Elkridge community was out in droves to support its own. This year's attendance was nearly triple the 2010 turnout.

Last year, approximately 53 runners ran in the race, said Gerus.

Previously, the fundraiser was lumped into the Summers End Jam, a concert/race/community celebration held outside the  each year until .

"It was time for a change," said Gerus, who runs the food pantry's garden.

Having the race on Furnace Avenue helped bring attention to the fact that the pantry is there for people, said organizers.

As with the food pantry, which has no board of directors, there was no hierarchy in the race—no winners, losers or medals.

Local band O.R.B., which includes Gerus’ two sons, played rock music as runners crossed the finish line, where onlookers cheered and a bubble machine sent a stream trailing after participants.

“This was a great venue and a great event,” said Buddy Oliver, O.R.B.'s sound manager and father of Bo, the band’s bassist. “At Superfresh, other things were going on and it got washed out."

At the Sept. 18 race, the Elkridge Food Pantry and Garden was front and center. The start/finish line was on Furnace Avenue in front of , which donates the space for the adjacent food pantry. The whole morning was centered around the event's tagline: "Give where you live."

And give the community did.

“Right now, we’re over $1,800,” said John Mackall, pastor of Elkridge-based , the lead sponsor of this year's event. “There were some other monies and checks” that had yet to be counted, he added, as of Sunday morning.

Approximately 12 area students from the Horizon Council were on hand to help with the event, from setting up to running carnival games for children.

Local sponsors provided giveaways, raffled off following the race. Among the primary sponsors were Preston Scheffenacker Properties, , , , Mom's Organic Market, , Princeton Sports, Horizon Foundation and Craig Dunklee Screenprinting.

The food pantry is always accepting nonperishable donations at the  entryway. To drop off donations elsewhere or to volunteer, contact Phil at 410-693-0058 or Lori Gerus at algerus@juno.com.