CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—February 16, 2017. On Saturday, March 4, giant muppet heads, birthday cakes, and mobile diners will once again brave the cold to celebrate the CHIditarod’s twelfth anniversary in what’s expected to be its most rambunctious year yet. The CHIditarod – a 100% volunteer driven organization – has raised more than 150,000 pounds of food for Chicago’s hungry and more than $145,000 for local nonprofits fighting hunger in the Chicago area. Since the beginning of the CHIditarod Foundation’s grant program, $95,000 has been given out to like-minded nonprofits who have new and creative ways of solving food scarcity. This rollicking yearly event raises thousands of pounds of food and donations to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository and local organizations.
Gleefully referring to itself as “possibly the world’s largest mobile food drive,” the CHIditarod unites many Chicago communities including cyclists, artists, activists, students, professionals, enthusiastic leisurists, and everyone in-between. This whimsical urban shopping cart race involves teams of five which elaborately decorate their cart and themselves, usually around a theme. Each team is required to show up with their cart full of food to be donated.
Part competition, part carnival, the CHIditarod is probably the world’s largest mobile food drive. This year, more than 100 teams of five people in costumes will race decorated shopping carts for a good cause. Registration to participate in this year’s event closes on Monday, February 20.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 4 at 1900 W. Hubbard, Chicago IL 60622 (northwest corner of Hubbard and Wolcott). Teams can begin arriving at 9:45 a.m. The pre-race festivities include performances by local eclectic marching band Environmental Encroachment. Race start is expected at 12:30 p.m.
Spectators and well-wishers are invited to witness the event.
For additional information, visit: www.chiditarod.org
About the CHIditarod Foundation
CHIditarod continues to expand its fundraising efforts to compliment the food drive that has been in operation since its first year (2006). In ten years, CHIditarod has donated more than 150,000 lbs of food to local food pantries, in addition to raising more than $145,000 for local non-profits. In 2012, race organizers formed the CHIditarod Foundation to award funds raised through CHIditarod’s events to local Chicago-based charities dedicated to eradicating hunger in their communities. CHIditarod is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is a 100% volunteer driven event and organization.
Source: www.chiditarod.org
