Community

13th Annual SBIC Run for Food set for Jan. 14

Four Volunteers, Mitch Hewett (left) of Holden Beach, N.C., Mary Fitzgerald of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., Mary Pritchard of Carolina Shores, N.C. and John Mullins of Calabash, N.C., assist people who request food at Camp United Methodist Church food pantry in Shallotte, N.C.
Four Volunteers, Mitch Hewett (left) of Holden Beach, N.C., Mary Fitzgerald of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., Mary Pritchard of Carolina Shores, N.C. and John Mullins of Calabash, N.C., assist people who request food at Camp United Methodist Church food pantry in Shallotte, N.C. Submitted

Jeanne Millar of North Myrtle Beach says when she enters a race such as the Myrtle Beach Marathon and Run Like a Diva in NMB her finishing time isn’t important. “It’s just the fact that I do it,” she says.

Mary Wayne of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. explains she had childhood asthma and doctors said she couldn’t participate in strenuous activity, but with advances in medications, that phase of her life is past. When her daughter, Morgan, entered South Brunswick InterChurch Council Run for Food in 2012, Wayne thought she’d try it, too. It was the first race she ever entered. “I wasn’t looking to win anything. I just wanted to complete the race,” she says.

Priscilla Evans, public relations/communications director and emergency aid director for SBIC, says in 2016 an 83-year-old woman ran the half marathon and finished it. About 600 runners and walkers participate in the annual event with all proceeds benefiting the needy. FEMA figures show that 35 percent of Brunswick County residents are at or below the poverty level, Evans says.

Mary Pritchard, director of the race and coordinator of the SBIC food pantry, says the federal poverty income is about $24,000 or less for a family of four. “Our goal is to provide a nutritious balance of food,” she says and adds that the food pantry serves about 17,000 people each year.

The runners say they benefit from the run as well. “What I like most is that I can eat bread and butter without guilt,” Millar says with a laugh. “That’s my biggest pleasure.”

Wayne says since that first Run for Food race, she’s finished 20-5k races and one half-marathon. She’s registered for the 10k in New Orleans in February.

“When I started our running, I was thrilled to finish a race. Now, I want more. I want to place well, I want a race day trinket, and I want bragging rights.”

Participants in Run for Food receive T-shirts, the top 250 finishers in half marathon and 5k receive medals, and top two male finishers and top two female finishers in each race receive special awards. See Web site listed here for details.

What |South Brunswick InterChurch Council Run for Food

Where | Ocean Isle Beach Town Hall, 3 W. Third St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

When | 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Jan. 14

Cost | Half marathon, $65; 5K run/walk, $35

Contact | http://sbicnc.org/ocean-isle-beach-bridge-run-for-food-2017.html; priscilla@sbicnc.org

Details | Register online at above link; all proceeds benefit the SBIC food pantry

Other events on the North Strand

8th ANNUAL COASTAL SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER SOUP COOK-OFF

What | Cook-off benefits the CSSC North Strand Client Assistance Fund

Where | Living Water Baptist Church, 1569 S.C. 9 East, Longs

When | 3-5 p.m. Jan. 8

Cost | $10 per person; 3 years and under free

Contact | Cathy, 446-4820; caltman@coastalsamaritan.org

Details | restaurants, churches, civic organizations and individuals compete for bragging rights for best soup. Tasting includes beverage and dessert. Tickets at Little River Chamber of Commerce, North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, participating churches: NMB Baptist, Little River United Methodist, Ocean Drive Presbyterian, King of Glory Lutheran, Living Water Baptist; cash or check only

SPECIAL FRIENDS OF SEASIDE UNTIED METHODIST CHURCH

What | Outreach, support and activities ministry for young adults with physical challenges and their families

Where | Seaside United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1300 seaside Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.

When | 6-8 p.m. Jan. 10

Cost | Free

Contact | Mary, sfosmary@seasideumc.org, www.seasideumc.org

Details | Open to all young adults who are living with physical challenges

COASTAL SHAG CLUB DANCE

What | Monthly meeting

Where | Moose Lodge, 253 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 6:30-10 p.m. Jan. 21

Cost | all shag club members, $5; guest, $8

Contact | boyd_pat@yahoo.com, Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.www.coastalshagclub.org

SILVER COAST BRIDAL SHOW

Where | Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

When | 1-4 p.m. Jan 22

Cost | Free

Contact | Debbie, 910-287-2800, www.silvercoastwinery.com

Details | Local wedding professionals including caterers, photographers, bakers, musicians and other wedding experts will give information about a wedding in Brunswick County.

AARP TAX AIDES

What | “Tax Basics with Barbara”

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 11 a.m. Jan. 25

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173, Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

Details | Barbara Hutton will advise on what documents you need to file tax returns

This story was originally published January 7, 2017 at 5:00 AM with the headline "13th Annual SBIC Run for Food set for Jan. 14."

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