OLIVETTE, Mo. — Thousands came out to Olivette on Thanksgiving Day for the 11th annual 5k Turkey Trot. It's not your typical pre-Thanksgiving dinner meal run though; it's centered around making a positive impact in the community.
"This event is amazing. It started out with a brother asking a brother, 'What are you going to do, where are we going to race on Thanksgiving Day?" Mayor Missy Waldman said about the event.
Olivette's 5k Turkey Trot was born 11 years ago. Waldman said it started out with just 200 participants and now there's over 2,000.
"You bet I'm here every single turkey trot, along with my peers and the volunteers and the runners," she said.
The 2024 attendance broke records, the Jewish Family Services (JFS) Development Director, Elizabeth Macanufo, said.
"Each year it grows and grows, which is great for us because that's more support, more people who hear about the need for in our community, and of course, the financial support that we need to keep the food pantry up and running every year," she said.
Brothers Jeremiah and De'Andre Butler came back for the second year in a row to get their Thanksgiving started off right.
"It's a great warm up for the day, a good three miles," Jeremiah said.
"Get a little fitness in before you eat a bunch of food. Got to get your body ready," De'Andre said.
This three-mile run is more than just a way to burn calories before your Thanksgiving feast, according to Macanufo.
"It's so great to come together as a community, to get out, get some fresh air, see your friends and neighbors, and of course, to help a great cause," she said.
100% of the proceeds from the race are donated by the City of Olivette to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.
"The need is always there, and so we're very grateful to the City of Olivette for holding this and benefiting the food pantry," Megan Wilson, JFS Board President Elect, said.
Since its inception, the turkey trot has raised $119 thousand for the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Waldman said food shortages is very prevalent today so it's important the community helps.
"To be able to help a family with nutrition and food can help them be able to maybe take their limited money and pay a bill, so if we can help them with nutrition and food, then they can focus on other things that they need," she said.
This year the run raised $25,000 for the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. It's open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can support year-round through financial donations or by donating non-perishable food items.
