Thousands of people poured into Riverside Park early Thanksgiving morning for the 15th annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Trot Against Poverty, known by most as the Turkey Trot. The numbers were back to pre-pandemic levels, as families and friends gathered so that the hundreds of individuals and families assisted by United Against Poverty could have a happier holiday.
The race was slightly delayed as torrential rains over several days prior had turned the fields where folks usually park into a quagmire, but organizers and participants took it all in stride. As the sun began to burn off the fog, there was a joyful camaraderie as some 3,000 people, from infants in strollers to octogenarians, came together to walk, run, volunteer or just cheer everyone on.
UP staff and board members, joined by an army of about 60 volunteers, had arrived in the pre-dawn hours to get everything in order before the crowds began to arrive. Because of the soggy conditions, they needed to move the always popular post-race breakfast off the grassy area to the safety of a large pavilion. Once again, Marsh Landing had supplied the batter for the yummy sweet potato pancakes, Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice provided the OJ, and the Saussie Pig sizzled up the sausages.
“We had a little over 1,200 last year, and we’re well over 1,600 registered. We’re probably going to get close to 1,800 this year, so a phenomenal turnout,” said Matt Tanner, UP executive director.
“We filled a lot of sponsorship spots so this, in a lot of ways, is on pace to be the best event that we’ve had in 15 years.”
He noted that the Turkey Trot is one of their biggest annual fundraisers; the other is the upcoming Feb. 8 Valentine Ball. “It’s been an incredible year at United Against Poverty. We’ve set historic numbers in terms of the adults that we’ve served, the adults that we’ve lifted out of poverty, the adults that we’ve gotten employed, the number of workshops we’ve had, and the number of families we’ve served through crisis,” said Tanner.
“It was a historic year for us, and we’re only able to continue to do that because of events like today, when the community comes out to support us.”
Tanner said that each Thanksgiving, they also provide a Hopeful Harvest Breakfast to the participants in their Member Share Grocery program.
“It’s an opportunity for members to pay a small handling fee to be able to get a full bundle for Thanksgiving, including a 15-pound turkey. We had 350 families that we were able to have participate in our Hopeful Harvest this year,” said Tanner.
In addition to their Member Share Grocery, UP provides crisis care and housing assistance; counseling for substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence; daily life skills workshops; continued educational programs; job preparation and specialty skill training; GED preparation; veterans assistance; primary and preventive healthcare; DCF Access Florida; and a computer lab.
For more information, visit UPIRC.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
