'Do It Your Way 0.5K' To Help Restock South Lakes High Food Pantry

RESTON, VA — Can you spare 650 steps to help provide food for more than 275 students' families in the South Lakes Pyramid each week? If so, then the“Do It Your Way 0.5K” might be for you.

The South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry will be hosting the fifth annual 0.5K stroll from 2-4 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 16, at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston. You can also do the event virtually anytime on Saturday or Sunday.

To take part in the “Do It Your Way 0.5K," register online, with special pricing for students and families. The first 500 who register will receive a race packet filled with cool SWAG, including a race bib, finisher medal, and other special goodies provided by event sponsors. Participants will also enjoy the famous (infamous?) mid-point donut station.

All proceeds will go directly toward purchasing food, toiletries, and other necessities for families in need in the South Lakes Pyramid.

The following organizations and business are providing support for this year's walk/run: Reston Community Center, Rustic Love Vienna, Trader Joe’s, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Restoration Church, NuAxis Innovations, Dev Technology Group, CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty Reston, Long & Foster Real Estate Reston, Creative Strategies, Lake Anne Brew House, LAWPA, New Trail Cycling, and Unbroken Tattoo. In addition, Aspen Jewelry Designs is donating a customized necklace for the live raffle worth $800, featuring the Pantry logo.

Established in 2017, the Pantry helps provided weekly support for more than 275 students and their families in several ways. Every Thursday, students come to the pantry to select food and toiletries to take home to their families.

Also on Thursday, the pantry provides curbside distribution. Participants can drive up and receive a large bag of food (20-25 pounds) that contains produce donated by Trader Joe’s Reston, feminine products, and a bonus item that rotates.

In coordination with social workers at each school, the pantry mails 125 grocery gift cards every three weeks to families.

In addition, students in the SLHS Work, Awareness, Transition program assemble about 15 bags a week to be delivered to the Langston Hughes administration for distribution.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness of hunger in our local communities, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that 1 in 8 people face hunger. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.