NEWS

Runners pound pavement against childhood hunger

Phil Drake
pdrake@greatfallstribune.com

Several-dozen runners lined up in the snow and freezing rain on the track outside of C.M. Russell High School on Saturday not only to get some exercise, but to become frontline warriors in the battle against childhood hunger in Montana.

The 5K fun run capped off Fight Childhood Hunger Week events in Great Falls, put on not only to raise awareness to the statistic that one in five Montana children don't know where their next meal is coming from, but to raise money for school food pantries that help needy students out.

About $8,600 was raised Saturday, organizers said, adding 115 people either walked or ran.

Jeff Bobick, his wife Frankie and 8-month-old daughter Aspyn, were among them.

Well, truth be told, Aspyn was in a stroller.

"We are avid runners and want to support our community," Jeff Bobick, 32, said.

Frankie Bobick said that Aspyn enjoys going on the runs, albeit mobile and leading the pack.

"She loves it," Frankie, 22, said. "She beats us every time."

Event organizers said more than 100 people had signed up online to run or walk the course, which was led by several Harley-Davidson riders. Others walked laps around the gym where vendors — hawking cosmetics, health care products, Planned Parenthood, the Roller Grrrlz and other items — had set up booths.

The run was the culmination of Fight Childhood Hunger Week, which was April 13-19 and included a dinner, movie and panel discussion at Great Falls College Montana State University on April 10, Wear Orange Wednesday on April 15 in which people are to wear orange as a sign of support in efforts to fight childhood hunger and Saturday's SunnyD 5K run.

There was also a Sixth Grade Cook-Off in which nine teams created a recipe from a list of 35 ingredients found in the district's food pantries.

Proceeds from the event will aid Great Falls school pantries, organizers said.

Stephanie Stratton, school program coordinator with the Montana Food Bank Network, said that in 2014, Great Falls school pantries provided nearly 16,000 pounds of food to more than 200 students and their families.

First lady Lisa Bullock and her children were among the runners.

In 2014, she and Gov. Steve Bullock put out a statewide challenge to fight childhood hunger in 2014.

Great Falls organized several events, and serves as a standard bearer for other communities. There are now 12 communities with 35 student-led service projects for childhood hunger.

"It all started here in Great Falls," she said.

Later, in a rally before the run, she said it was because of what Great Falls did during last week's observance that it became a statewide initiative.

"I stand in gratitude and awe of you," she said.

Steve Berlinger, 15, a freshman, was among the student members on the Fight Childhood Hunger Organizing committee, comprised of Great Falls students and adults, who organized events for the week.

He was happy with the results Saturday.

"We're boosting the collection of food for school food pantries," he said, adding he has seen fellow classmates battle hunger.

"They're really struggling," he said. "You can't concentrate when there's no food in your stomach."

Jackie Slovak, co-chair of the event, said despite the weather, things were doing well.

"It's going great," she said. "we love the snow."

Many of the people at the run described childhood hunger as an "invisible problem," meaning it is sometimes difficult to detect.

"I think teachers are much more aware than the general community," Stratton said, adding she did not know of an educator who did not pay out of their own pockets to feed needy students or have a stash of granola bars in their desk for a hungry child.

Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent Tammy Lacey said events such as the run she light on the problem and challenges the community to work together to address the problem.

Among Saturday's runners was Jackson McCoy, an 11-year-old fifth-grader.

He said he decided to do the run to fight childhood hunger and "I get bored if I don't do anything." He runs regularly along the River's Edge Trail.

His mom, Jessica Vlasie, teaches pre-school and says she sees kids who come to school hungry.

She said she was happy to see Jackson wanted to help others.

"I'm proud of him."

Race winners

Male under 19

1st place — Connor Dennis 21:27

2nd place — Connor O'Hara 22:53

3rd place — Coleman Good 24:04

Male 19 —40

1st place — Gary Shoenhall 19:30

2nd place — Forrest Bonge 19:33

3rd place — Jeff Bobick 20:38

Male 40+

1st place — Claude Weido 22:58

2nd place — Ryan Burke 27:49

3rd place — Jake Blane 28:06

Female under 19

1st place — Laura Duffa 21:40

2nd place — Madelyn Good — 28:17

3rd place — Andrea Downand 28:41

Female 19 —40

1st place — Sandy Thomas 22:07

2nd place — Nikki King 25:52

3rd place — Amber Davis 27:49

Female 40+

1st place — Kim Ray 23:45

2nd place — Becky Lorio 26:00

3rd place — Michelle Marmon 26:10