CROS Ministries presented its Hustle to End Hunger 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 4 at John Prince Park. As the number of individuals seeking food assistance rises, more than 300 community members came together to make an impact in the fight against hunger across Palm Beach and Martin counties.
The event raised more than $45,000 to benefit CROS Ministries’ programs, including six brick-and-mortar food pantries and a mobile “pop-up” pantry, the Caring Kitchen hot meal program and its gleaning produce recovery program. These essential programs ensure access to healthy food for all in need.
In 2024, CROS distributed 1,160,913 pounds of food, which helped serve 121,664 individuals. Over the past five years, the number of people seeking food assistance from CROS has surged by 71 percent, driven by rising grocery and housing costs and other economic pressures.
This increased demand comes at a time when federal funding cuts threaten to significantly limit financial support CROS receives by $140,000 — directly impacting how much food CROS can provide to the increased number of families and individuals facing hunger and food insecurity.
“Behind every meal and bag of food that CROS provides is a person, a family and a story of resilience. Our annual Hustle to End Hunger helps ensure that we continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of our brothers, sisters and neighbors,” said Ruth Mageria, CEO of CROS Ministries.
The Hustle to End Hunger 5K is part of the Palm Beach Race Series, managed by K2 Road Sports. The race event included a timed 5K run, untimed 5K walk, virtual 5K race and a 100-yard kids’ dash.
Mageria urged participants to extend their fight against hunger “beyond today.”
“Join us as a volunteer and/or a financial supporter. Please find your stride in continuing to help us tackle hunger,” she said.
Community sponsors included the Genetics Institute of America and the Lake Worth United Church of Christ as the presenting sponsors, as well as Valley Bank, Publix Super Markets Charities, the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, the Conde Center for Chiropractic Neurology, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, Lakeside United Methodist Church, Alloy Personal Training, Holyfield & Thomas LLC, Humana, Florida Public Utilities and Mission Marketing.
For more information about CROS Ministries and how to take action and stand in the gap for the hungry, visit www.crosministries.org.
