Whole Foods Market Wall Supports Jersey Shore Dream Center through RunAPalooza Sponsorship on April 16

The Jersey Shore Dream Center, a non-profit organization that alleviates poverty, hunger, and addiction in Monmouth County, is proud to announce that Whole Foods Market Wall has joined as a sponsor of RunAPalooza on Saturday, April 16. This unique event encompasses three races on the same day: the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon, the Asbury Park Half Marathon, and the Jersey Shore 5K.

RunAPalooza, presented by the Jersey Shore Running Club, serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for the Jersey Shore Dream Center. Founded in Asbury Park in 2012, the Jersey Shore Dream Center “finds a need and fills it” among low-income children, families, and senior citizens. The Jersey Shore Dream Center serves 45,000 individuals a year in Asbury Park, Belmar, Eatontown, Neptune, Ocean Grove, and other Monmouth County communities.

In addition, Whole Foods Market has offered one of its celebrated 5% Community Giving Days (otherwise known as “5% Days”), where five percent of a single day’s net sales are donated to a local non-profit or educational organization. The Jersey Shore Dream Center will be the beneficiary of an upcoming Community Giving 5% Day at Whole Foods Market Spring Lake Wall and Middletown; the exact date will be announced in the near future.

With thousands of “food-insecure” residents living in Monmouth County, the fastest-growing program at the Jersey Shore Dream Center is its Mobile Food Truck. The new Whole Foods Market, opening in Wall Township on April 13, has decided to support the Mobile Food Truck program that the Jersey Shore Dream Center operates in 12 Monmouth County locations.

“Whole Foods Market supports local non-profit organizations, practices environmental stewardship, and promotes healthy eating among area families,” according to Laura Fette, Marketing Project Manager for Whole Foods Market in Marlboro and Wall. “We believe the Jersey Shore Dream Center and its Mobile Food Truck are closely aligned with Whole Foods Markets’ commitment to the community and healthy living.

“In the months ahead,” Fette continues, “Whole Foods Market looks forward to partnering with the Jersey Shore Dream Center to address hunger in Monmouth County.”

According to Isaac Friedel, executive director of the Jersey Shore Dream Center, “We have experienced a tremendous need for our Mobile Food Truck over the past year. Support from Whole Foods Market will empower the Jersey Shore Dream Center to assist even more of our neighbors. We’re thrilled that Whole Foods Market is continuing to grow on the Jersey Shore and continuing its commitment to families that struggle with hunger on a regular basis.”

The Road Runners Club of America has designated the Asbury Park Half Marathon as an Eastern Regional Championship Race. The finish line for all three races is on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, by Convention Hall. Individual runners have the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the Jersey Shore Dream Center.

In addition to Whole Foods Market Spring Lake Wall, RunAPalooza sponsors include SOAR Physical Therapy & Acupuncture, WorkWave, and WoW Work Out World. These RunAPalooza sponsors have made charitable contributions to the Jersey Shore Dream Center.

RunAPalooza proceeds will support the Jersey Shore Dream Center’s residential program in Asbury Park. In 2015, the Jersey Shore Dream Center dedicated its women’s residence to the Jersey Shore Running Club, in recognition of the club’s integral support. Thanks to RunAPalooza, the Jersey Shore Dream Center plans to build an addition onto the women’s residence, construct six town houses for men and veterans, and launch a leadership development program in Asbury Park.

The mission of the Jersey Shore Dream Center is to provide hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, clothes to the needy, and freedom to those bound by addiction. To sponsor a RunAPalooza runner, or to read more about the Jersey Shore Dream Center, please visit www.jerseyshoredreamcenter.org or call 877-391-5732.

The Road Runners Club of America has designated the Asbury Park Half Marathon as an Eastern Regional Championship Race. The finish line for all three RunAPalooza races is on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, by Convention Hall. Individual runners have the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the Jersey Shore Dream Center. Details about the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon, Asbury Park Half Marathon, or Jersey Shore 5K can be found at www.runapalooza.org.

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