Churchgoers run to fight hunger

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Members of St. James Lutheran Church laced up their running shoes to help fight hunger.

About 75 runners and walkers showed up early on Saturday to the Celery Bog in West Lafayette to tackle a 5k route.

All participants paid registration fees that went directly to the St. James Food Pantry.

The Pantry helps struggling families in the area by providing food and other essential items.

Event organizers Chrissy and Tim Whiteaker were pleased with the turnout, but did say the economy had a slight impact on the 5k.

"Our numbers at the 5K are a little but lower than usual and to make up for that we had to raise our price a little bit. It's still very important right now to donate to these types of causes because you hear about food shortages in food pantries on the news. So hopefully this will help our little food pantry a lot," said Chrissy Whiteaker.

Chrissy Whiteaker says in past years the event has raised between $800 and $1200.