ST. GEORGE — The Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center is at the forefront of the fight against hunger in Southern Utah, but they can’t do it alone. In an effort to help more than 36,000 Southern Utahns, the Utah Food Bank will host the third annual “H.A.M. It Up Against Hunger Race” in St. George on Sept. 9.

The Food Bank is hoping as many people as possible will register for this family-friendly 5K event, as all proceeds will directly benefit Utah Food Bank’s work in Southern Utah. The race will be held at Crosby Confluence Park, located at 1953 S. Convention Center Drive in St. George.

A press release issued by the food bank states that 36,150 Southern Utah residents are unsure where their next meal will come from, 14,690 of whom are children. The H.A.M. It Up Against Hunger Race will be part of the food bank’s statewide efforts to celebrate national Hunger Action Month, which takes place during September.

“The significant number of people in Southern Utah who are facing hunger are a key focus of our work, and the statistics here are worse than the national average in some counties,” Ginette Bott, chief development officer for the Utah Food Bank, said.

Utah Food Bank hopes the race will increase awareness about the issue of hunger in the state, especially in Southern Utah, and bring attention to the work they are doing through their Southern Distribution Center.

“We work hard to help Utahns across the state who are struggling to access enough food to thrive,” Bott said. “We hope this race will show Southern Utahns just how pervasive hunger is in the area and how they can support Utah Food Bank’s work to mitigate it.”

The race begins at 7 a.m. on Sept. 9, and registration fees are $20 per person. There will be no registration or packet pick-up on the day of the event. Online registration closes on Sept. 7, although you can register at packet pick-up on Sept. 8, which will be held at the Harmons in Santa Clara from 2-8 p.m.

Registration and packet pick-up information, along with further details, can be found by visiting the H.A.M. It Up webpage. The presenting sponsor of this event is Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and the silver sponsor is Harmons.

Event details

• What: Utah Food Bank’s “H.A.M. It Up Against Hunger Race.”
• When: Saturday, Sept. 9, 7 a.m. | Registration must be done before the day of the race.
• Where: Crosby Confluence Park, 1953 S. Convention Center Drive, St. George.
• Details: Visit  H.A.M. It Up webpage.

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