For many in and around Elmhurst, it’s an annual tradition now stretching back 39 years to when event founder Dan Gibbons and some of his friends first thought about organizing a 5k run to raise money to help feed the hungry in the DuPage County area.
Food insecurity — in simple terms hunger — can be a problem below the radar in the apparent prosperity of DuPage County. But the problem is real, as Gibbons noted in a recent conversation with Pioneer Press.
“The need is just unbelievable,” Gibbons said. “Inflation is putting needs (for food assistance) through the roof.”
According to Gibbons, on an average night in the DuPage area, as many as 60,000 people may be at risk of going to bed hungry.
“20,000 of those are children who can’t go to school and learn if they’re hungry,” Gibbons said. “It makes me sad.”
Gibbons, his friends and helpers and the expected 8,000 Turkey Trot participants turn that sadness into dollars, a total estimated at over $4 million over the event’s 39-year history.
Gibbons said 3,900 participants have already registered for the event, which starts at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day at the corner of Park and Cottage Hill avenues and follows a 3.1 mile — 5k — course around central Elmhurst. Course information is here: Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot ” Course Info
Walk-in registration and packet pickup are available this coming weekend, Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus hall, 537 S. York St. Walk-in registration will also be available on Thanksgiving near the starting area.
Gibbons said sponsors and participants this year will allow the organization to write checks for about $162,000 after race expenses are paid. Checks are expected to go to area organizations, including Loaves and Fishes Community Services, West Suburban Community Pantry, People’s Resource Center, United Community Concerns Association, Catholic Charities — DuPage County, DuPage PADS, Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network and the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry.
The event will include Jim Cornelison, who sings at the start of Chicago Blackhawks home games, who will sing the national anthem. Also singing will be the Men of Spirito, joined by some of Spirito’s younger singers in the Bravura ensemble. Weather permitting, the Lima Lima Flight Team will fly over the start in their bright yellow T-34 Mentor aircraft.
More information is available at: Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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