Sunday 5K Benefits Montauk Food Pantry

After waiting for the official word, organizers were thrilled to learn the East Hampton Town Board approved their run for the Montauk Food Pantry during Thursday night's meeting.

Montauk Youth will present a 5K walk/run around Fort Pond on Sunday.

The race begins and ends at the Montauk Green and Gazebo, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. Registration opens at 8:30. There is a suggested donation of $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Collection boxes for non-perishable items will be set up and donations are a great way to kick off fall right. "People are welcome to donate money and or non-perishable items if they want to, but are not able to participate," said Leyla Marchetto, one of the organizers.

Originally, Marchetto, and her friends Sheila Roony and Scott Pitches tried to organize a run that was going to a very small, casual run tied to the FEED Women's Health Run10FEED10 runs. "Then we all decided it would be good to tie it to a local cause to raise money and it grew organically from there," she said.

Maureen Rutkowski, of Montauk Youth, jumped in, as did Ines Fox, from the food pantry. They were able to pull off securing a permit in just a few weeks.

"While the run is not technically related to FEED's Women's Health RUN10 FEED 10 runs, it was inspired by their collaboration, and morphed into a community fundraiser to help raise awareness and funds for the Montauk Food Pantry," Marchetto said.

"After starting out as a smaller event, we are looking to make this a yearly event going forward with a little better organization than this first time around during which we are learning all about the process of putting together an event like this," she said.

Hamptons Water Company has donated water for the event. Navy Beach donated gift certificates for the winners, and there will be some additional smaller prizes as well for the kids and a door prize.

Will you go and support the Montauk Food Pantry? Tell us in the comments below.