By Emily Reed / Special to the Reporter

St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church’s Turkey Trot for Hunger will be held on Dec. 2, rather than Nov. 18 as originally planned, the church announced on Nov. 2.

The 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run will be at the Chelsea Recreational Park located at 2966 County Road 39 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Pre-race packets will be available for pickup at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Nov. 17.

The race serves as an outlet for the church to raise funds for the “Beans and Rice Pantry,” which is an outreach of St. Catherine’s that is offered to the community on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

“The Beans and Rice Pantry has been going on at St. Catherine’s since September 2010,” said the Rev. Eric Mancil. “It serves anyone in the community who might need a helping hand when it comes to food. We typically serve about 36 families. When guests arrive, they are greeted and invited to pick out items from the pantry that they would like to take with them. Usually, families leave with about two grocery bags full of food, ranging from beans and rice to canned goods, bread, and other types of baked goods. We ask no questions when guests walk through the door. They are simply greeted and welcomed.”

Mancil said the idea for the church to host a race for the community originated through a friend, who is a priest of the Episcopal Church in Andalusia, and began hosting a 5K four years ago to help support their Beans and Rice ministry.

“They do their race in the spring, usually around Mardis Gras, but I thought that it would be nice to do our race around Thanksgiving,” Mancil said.

The event is open to all ages, beginning at 5-years-old. All racers will receive a “swag bag,” a race T-shirt, and a racing bib.

The race is a chip-timed race with a certified 5K course.

In addition to monetary donations, the church will be collecting non-perishable food items the morning of the race.

Mancil said the Turkey Trot is an outreach ministry for the entire community, not just St. Catherine’s.

“Anyone who participates or volunteers in the race will be contributing in some way to our church’s ability to serve those in need,” Mancil said.

Individuals can register for the race on the church’s website, or print registration forms to be submitted in person at St. Catherine’s, or mailed to the parish office.

Deadline for pre-registration and to receive a race T-shirt was Nov. 1.

For more information, visit Stcatherinesal.com/turkey-trot-for-hunger.