Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Dear friends,

I am joining this fundraiser event as a part of my journey to the Chicago Marathon this year. I use to run 5-10K as my regular exercise to stay active, but never did a marathon. After moving to the greater Chicago area, I came to know about the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as one of the world's six major marathon and have been interested to join the race for a cause. For my Chicago Marathon journey I've decided to link arms with Northern Illinois Food Bank, a member of Feeding America network to race towards a future where every neighbor has the food they need to thrive.

I have a deep connection with hunger since my childhood had to face with it. When I was a kid, a hard time came to my family and my father was unable to provide the family expenses with his daily wages. Several nights we had to go to bed with empty stomach. My mother felt helpless many times when she could not prepare a plate of nutritious food for me after coming back from the school. However, when years passed, and my sibling could extend his arms to support my father and finally we won the fight with hunger.

It is unfortunate that more than 38 million people, including 12 million children, in the United States are food insecure according the USDA. Many families remain with hunger for the job loss, missed paycheck, medical emergency, financal cirsis, natural disaster, and many more. Whatever the root cause of the hunger in a family, they need a timely help to access a nutritious meal. Various charity and government assistance programs continuously make their effort to bridge the meal gap. However they still need helps and support from each community members to end the hunger. Together we can solve hunger.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank has been responding to the increased need in our communities, which remains elevated due to the effects of COVID-19. In their latest fiscal year (July 2020-June 2021), the Food Bank has helped provide over 100 million meals to the community. The Food Bank serves 13 counties in Northern Illinois, providing the equivalent of nearly 220,000 meals each day.

Please join me in making a difference in the lives of the thousands of people in Northern Illinois who are hungry. The funds I raise will stay right here, in our backyard, and will fill an empty plate of a hungry neighbor.

Your Donation Makes an Impact: Every $1 donated helps provide $8 worth of groceries for neighbors in need.

I invite you to do incredible things with me this year. Please consider joining me on the course or supporting me with a donation that will help me reach my goal, which is my first fundraising effort to provide groceries to our community.

Thanks in advance!

Diganta