What is Miles for Food?  
Miles for Food is a charity food drive and endurance event all in one.  

What charity does Miles for Food support?
All proceeds go to support Operation Food Search.  Established in 1981 to address the growing problem of hunger, Operation Food Search is a St. Louis food bank that distributes food free of charge helping to feed the poor and hungry.

Operation Food Search distributes more than 1.5 million pounds of perishable and non-perishable food and household items to 300 food pantries and soup kitchens who offer emergency hunger-relief to nearly 120,000 poor people every single month. Nearly half the recipients are children.

The Operation Food Search service area includes 30 Illinois and Missouri counties surrounding the City of St. Louis.

How does Miles for Food work?

This is truly a unique endurance event.  In place of an entry fee, participants raise both cash and food  donations to benefit Operation Food Search.  Specific goals are set for each individual and team.  The fundraising goals must be met 24 hours prior to the Miles for Food event in order for registrants to participate in the endurance portion.

What is a "team"?

Miles for Food is organized around "teams".  There are four team slots available each season with a maximum of 10 members per team.  This gives a field limit of 40 participants. Teams that participated the prior year are given first option to register.  Remaining slots would then be open to additional teams to sign up. 

A team can be anything from a company, organization, group or just a couple of friends who want to help fight hunger in our area and cover some miles doing it.  Teams recruit their own members and set up their own process for obtaining their team goals.  Interested in putting together a team - e-mail your request to milesforfood@shiftingconsciousness.com

What are the goals each team must reach to participate?

The goals for the teams are as follows:

* Raise minimum of $750.00 in cash donations
* Gather a minimum of 1,250 can food items
* Cover a cumulative total of 66 miles on event day

Each team is responsible for generating members and allocating goals based on the above requirements.  The above goals apply to teams registering regardless of the number of team members. A team of two has the same requirements as a team of ten.  (Team Independent is the only exception to this rule - see information below)

What if I don't belong to a team - can I still participate?

The answer is "Yes"!  Miles for Food allocates ten slots on Team Independent for individuals not affiliated with a particular team.  Each member of Team Independent has a fundraising goal equivalent to participating on a team of ten. This equates to $75.00 and 125 can food items.  Mileage for Team Independent will vary according to the number of team members.  Minimum distance for Team Independent members is 5K.  Slots on Team Independent are on a first come first serve basis. 

What mileage distances can I choose from?

Most participants choose from these standard distances:

5K - 10K - Half Marathon - Full Marathon

Some team members may have to alter their mileage total to bring Team mileage to 66.

Is running a requirement?

Absolutely NOT!  Miles for Food distances can be covered running, walking or a combination of the two (no biking or rollerblading allowed).  Mileage must be completed prior to the six hour cut off.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Hunger never takes a break due to bad weather and neither does the Miles for Food event.  Regardless of weather the event goes on. Participants should dress accordingly and be prepared for seasonal weather changes.  Welcome to the Midwest.

How are donations to be collected?

Monetary donations can be received in the form of cash, check or money order.  Written payments should be made out to Operation Food Search.  A Virtual Food Drive is also available for online donations.  

When are cash and food donations turned in?

All donations are turned in between 7:30AM - 8:30AM on event day when participants check in for the race.  Volunteers are available on-site to help unload can food items.

What type of food items are accepted?

O.F.S. has specific guidelines for food donations.  Pretty much all can and pre-packaged food is accepted along with unopened personal care items.  No fresh produce, glass or clothing items are accepted. 

If I'm not participating in the event can I still donate food items to Miles for Food?

All donations that fit O.F.S. guidelines are welcome.  Currently we have several drop off locations for Miles for Food (locations to be posted prior to the food drive launching in September).  Historically- Team Big River Running Co. has receptacles located at each of the St. Louis Stores.  Drop off locations are: Information will be posted once receptacles are on-site and the food drive opens in September 2010!

Monetary donations can be made through the Virtual Food Drive by following the link below.  Be sure to specify which team you would like your donation to be credited toward.  If your donation is not team affiliated simply select general.

Virtual Food Drive Link:  To be activated by September 26, 20010  Check back to donate!!

Are monetary donations tax deductible?

O.F.S. holds non-profit status and should be deductible based on the 2008 tax code.  Donations made through the virtual food drive will have a confirmation e-mail sent to the address you specify.  In that e-mail should be all the information you need from O.F.S..  IF you are interested in the deduction we recommend you utilize the online site.

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