Race Against Hunger

RACE AGAINST HUNGER

How Visalia Emergency Aid's Annual Race Helps Fight Food Insecurity

Words by Lifestyle Staff | Photos provided by VEA

In its inaugural year, the Race Against Hunger event had 250 participants on Thanksgiving morning. Fast forward 19 years later, and this family-friendly event hosts over 5,000 participants on one of the most thankful days of the year. The tradition, which raised over $194,000 in 2022, has become the largest 5K race in the Central Valley, where community members help support Visalia Emergency Aid Council's efforts to fight hunger.

VEA Dust Bowl Roots

Visalia Emergency Aid (VEA) was created by local forward-thinking women during the Dust Bowl era. In an effort to help impoverished families relocating to Visalia to find a better life, they collected ood, blankets, and firewood to distribute to the growing number of families. The community need eventually surpassed what the small team could handle, resulting in the formation of VEA. Today, VEA is operated by a Board of Directors, a staff of six, and many volunteers who are the heartbeat of the organization.

Access and Dignity

The VEA food pantry is located on property that was gifted to them by the City of Visalia in 1970. Located in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Visalia, the warehouse and pantry is accessible to fulfill many of their clients’ needs. They work diligently to carry on the legacy of its founders by providing nutritious food and support to low-income families in the area through their food pantry and mobile units. As the community has grown, the needs have evolved and changed. Their services have expanded to offer job training, homelessness prevention, and additional health and human services.

A Season for Giving

As the community turns miles into meals, VEA Food Pantry provides nutritious groceries for 1,100 households (2,300 children), seniors, and veterans each month and during the holiday season, thanks in part to funding from racing registration fees. As the leaves change colors and the weather cools down, there’s almost nothing more gratifying than joining your community to help support others less fortunate. The Race Against Hunger event offers a 5K Run, 2 Mile Walk, and Kid’s Race for ages 4-10 and provides a virtual option. The virtual option allows runners to participate from any location. Runners can pick up their t-shirt beforehand, or have it shipped. In-person participants can pick up their t-shirt and bib at Sole 2 Soul in the Mooney Blvd Target Shopping Center from 10am-7pm on November 17, 18, 20, and 21.

Each year, the Visalia Emergency Aid Council continues its mission with renewed hope stemming from strong community support. Hunger will always be a challenge, but the annual race has become a symbol of the city’s commitment to eradicating hunger, and their hope that one day, no one in our community will ever go to bed hungry again.

Visalia Emergency Aid | veac.org 217 NE 3rd, Visalia | 559-732-0101 Pantry Service Hours:
Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm

VEA Thrift Store
620 Houston Ave, Visalia | 559-635-8525 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm