October 26th Scare Away Hunger Run Will benefit Rochester Area Neighborhood House

The Rochester Area Neighborhood House is preparing for their Third Annual Scare Away Hunger 5k Run/Walk and Autumn Family event.  Funds raised from the event will be used to support programs that will help local families in need with food, clothing, financial assistance, and more.  The event will be held in Downtown Rochester, in conjunction with the Rochester Farmer’s Market, on Saturday, October 26, 2013.  Check-in for the professionally timed run/walk will begin at 8:30 am at the lot behind 120 E. Third Street.  Autumn Family Fun activities will start at 9:00 am and run through noon. 

Major event sponsors Renaissance Capital Alliance, First Merit Bank, Eagle Ottawa, and the Village of Rochester Hills ask the greater Rochester Community to bring their families and spend the morning helping to raise funds for local families in need, adhering to the Neighborhood House motto of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” and they encourage participants and their families to bring donations of non-perishable items for the Neighborhood House Food Pantry.

Event coordinator, Patti Toma, noted that what makes this event so special is the family focus.  She stated, “The Farmer’s Market will offer a scavenger hunt, face painting, and kids crafts; and the RARA Dance Studio’s Select Performance Team will showcase some dance presentations for the runners and the families in attendance.  In addition, thanks to a donation by Fogler’s Greenhouse and Farm Markets, children will also be able to participate in pumpkin rolling races and sack races.”  Neighborhood House Executive Director, Linda Riggs, agreed adding, “Neighborhood House offers services to many local families, and we really hope that this event can be more than just ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors,’ we would like to be able to say it is ‘Families Helping Families!’”

The 5K will be chip-timed and prizes will be awarded to the top male and female winners by age group.  Pre-registration fees will be $20 for students and $25 for individuals; family and corporate rates are also available.  Those registering the day of the race will be charged an additional $5; all Autumn Family activities will be free.  Registration can be completed on line at www.scareawayhungerrun.org or by submitting the registration form by mail.  Questions about the registration process can be addressed to Neighborhood House by calling 248-651-5836.

The Rochester Area Neighborhood House is a private, non-profit human service organization that was founded by communities of faith in 1968.  Neighborhood House has grown over the years to become a full service agency servicing any qualifying families in need from Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township, and Addison Township.  The agency mission is to assist the community during times of hardship, partnering with the community and other social service providers to help struggling individuals and families move toward self sufficiency.   The community is invited to go to www.ranh.org to receive more information about Neighborhood House.