East Avenue Grocery Run Results

The 13th Annual East Avenue Grocery Run was a big success with over 1,000 registered participants, and nearly 800 folks who turned out in person to enjoy perfect weather and the welcoming spirit of this congregation!

After expenses, this year’s Grocery Run raised more than $53,000 and brought the 13-year total to nearly half a million dollars!

This money will cover all of the annual expenses for the Third Church Dining Room Ministry and Food Cupboard, and will provide significant funds to Foodlink and more than 2 dozen other local food pantries.

And it’s all thanks to our volunteers—more than 100 people—building shepherds, safety team, course marshals, food tent servers, set up and cleanup teams. You all do a fantastic job and everything seems to work perfectly year after year!

We truly appreciate the time and effort volunteers put into the event, with some working all year round, and others pitching in with two or three roles on race day. So thank you all!

And many thanks to the Andrew Primerano Memorial Fund, our Race Volunteer Sponsor, for providing those coveted, brilliant green t-shirts and other behind-the-scenes expenses.

A highlight of each race season is the presentation of the The Andrew Primerano Hunger Fighter Award. This award is presented in recognition of a volunteer dedicated to helping hungry people in our community. The award is in memory of Andrew Primerano, a beloved son of this congregation, who volunteered for many years with his family in our Dining Room Ministry.

This year’s Hunger Fighter honoree is Linc Spaulding.

Linc has been a constant, resilient and reliable volunteer with the Third Church Dining Room Ministry for many, many years. His calm and caring presence with our DRM guests is exemplary. Linc personifies our commandment to “Love Thy Neighbor.”

Linc is also a very dedicated supporter of The People’s Pantry. He volunteered for years, guiding and growing the former South Wedge Pantry, then led the transition to their new location and name, all while improving and increasing the services they provide. He currently serves as a very “Hands-On” Board Chair at People’s Pantry. He is a strong and thoughtful advocate for the organization and keeps our Outreach Team informed about their needs and concerns.

Thank you, Linc, for all you do! We love and appreciate YOU!