About the Run

History

In 2002, the Run For Hungry Children began with 1 site at Hoffman Estates, IL. However the goal was the same: to feed hungry children. The Run For Hungry Children has added 4 more sites spanning 2 states, supported 4,400 runners and walkers all while raising over $350,000.

Meet Mike Wiersema:

Mike joined Bright Hope as National Race Director in 2008. Prior to joining Bright Hope, Mike served in a pastoral ministry for 12 years where he traveled to seven different countries on six short term mission trips.

Mike has been an avid runner for 20 years and actually finished last year's Chicago Marathon. His passion for the Kingdom of God, his experience in event planning, and his love for running has uniquely prepared him for his role as National Director for this special event to support at-risk children around the world.

Why Hunger?

In developing countries, 6 million children die each year, mostly from hunger-related causes. Bright Hope works to help tens of thousands of people around the world who are living in desperate poverty. It is all too common for children around the globe, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America to go days on end with desperately hungry stomachs. Whether it is poor children in Haiti or AIDS orphans in Africa, Bright Hope has committed through Project Developers living in the country to providing relief to children around the world.

Every $60 raised feeds and educates 2 children for one month!

How you can help:

We can't do it alone! There are several ways you can get involved:

Sign up for the race as a runner or walker and raise money using our easy online tools.
Make a donation.
Volunteer to help at one of our local event sites.
You or your company can sponsor your local event.
Consider becoming a host site.

The Mathare Valley Slum, in the heart of the city of Nairobi, holds more than half a million people. Living conditions are horrific, with no basic infrastructure like a sewer system. Disease runs rampant. The government has already declared the food situation a national disaster, and the need here is critical. The most affected are the children, many of whom are orphans. The education of some children at Mathare is made possible by our feeding program which has kept a majority of the children in school and off the streets. This is the only meal most of the children receive all day. Every day 1,300 children from ages 4 to 15 are fed once.

Learn more about our work in Mathare Valley at BrightHope.org