FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Chicago, March 3, 2014) — More than 1,100 dedicated souls braved the freezing winds and blustery snowfall this Saturday in Chicago’s West Town, Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods to run the 9th annual CHIditarod. The CHIditarod gleefully describes itself as “probably the world’s largest mobile food drive” and consists of elaborately decorated shopping carts, costumes, and a five-mile run through Chicago’s near Northwest Side.
2014 was a year for the record books. More than 20,000 pounds of food were collected for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, CHIditarod’s food beneficiary for the past several years. Participants also raised more than $36,000 benefitting the CHIditarod Foundation and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Additional fundraising and food collection continues to be tallied; updates will be posted on the CHIditarod website.
“This cause resonates with everyone, since we all know what hunger feels like,” said Chiditarod founder Devin Breen. He added that the Greater Chicago Food Depository has been “an awesome partner” by making collection and donation easy and by understanding that “charity can be slapstick as well as solemn.”
The two teams that took the food drive to new heights were the Chidiots and Jack and the Distillers. They respectively brought in 3,293 and 2,917 pounds of food, a whopping ⅓ of the total food brought to the race by the 147 participating teams and volunteers. Additionally, this years “Most Epic Fundraiser” award went to The Area 3 All Stars team for fundraising $4,202; they also took the first place prize for time. The second place fundraising team was the Derailers with $4,005, followed by Gutterballs with $2,563. The team that won “Best in Show” were the Chubby Stewardesses. This coveted award was presented based upon their awesome danceability, airplane-sized beverage selection, and 2-part shopping cart airplane with collapsible wings.
“The generosity and spirit at the CHIditarod demonstrates just how awesome and dedicated Chicagoans are.” said Breen. “The levels of creativity, participation, and generosity exhibited by our teams increase every year. It warms my heart to see so many people doing so much for our neighbors in need while having a total blast in the process.”
Contact: Meagan Mueller
Email: press@chiditarod.org
RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR CHIDITAROD
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