By Kayla Evans
For the Opelika Observer
Nourish, AL is having its inaugural 5k on April 22-25 to honor Earth Day and raise money for its nonprofit. Registration is $30 and participants will run or walk the race on their own at any location they choose and submit their time to the web page.
“Obviously, we would’ve loved to have this in person, but with the COVID situation, we did a little bit of research and found out that we could do it online,” said Kirra Hawke, intern for Nourish, AL.
The deadline to receive the virtual bib and T-shirt by race day has passed, but registration for the event is still open.
“With virtual, we have to send out the T-shirts, and we would love to have the T-shirts to participants by race day so that it is a little more personal and for them to be able to have it, run in it and take pictures in their shirts,” Hawke said.
After the race, age group winners will receive a $15 gift card to The Coffee Cat courtesy of their sponsor. Nourish, AL also created a community Spotify playlist where participants can add songs that they like to listen to while running.
Nourish, AL is a nonprofit aimed at providing fresh produce to insecure families in the Auburn and Opelika areas.
“Our mission is to feed our village, providing nourishment, fostering relationships and building hope,” Hawke said.
Each week, the organization provides fruits, vegetables, grains, pantry staples and more to families. Nourish, AL was created through a partnership between Pediatrician Katie Wolter and Hornsby Farms.
“As of right now, we have about nine families, and we’re just really hoping that we are able to do this for a lot more,” Hawke said. “That’s really where the idea of the 5k came in.”
They are hoping to be able to help more families through this virtual 5k, Hawke said.
“It’s been a great way to be able to raise money for this company and potentially get another family that we could sponsor,” Hawke said.
To register for the race, go to www.runsignup.com/Race/AL/Auburn/NourishAL2021Virtual5 K or and for more information, go to www.nourishal.com/.