Ayer, MA – Registration is open for Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s (NVMC) 6^th annual Hunger Run 5K road race on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. All proceeds from the event will benefit Loaves & Fishes, a non-profit organization that provides food and temporary support services to residents of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Since its inception, NVMC’s Hunger Run 5K has generated more than $27,250 for Loaves & Fishes and recruited over 900 participants who have donated more than 2,500 pounds of food to the organization.

The Hunger Run 5K, which is professionally timed by Wilbur Race Systems and certified by USA Track and Field, will begin at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road, at 11 a.m. and travel along the scenic back roads of Ayer and Groton. Walkers are also welcome to participate in the race.

In addition to the Hunger Run, children are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes (optional) and enjoy the “Harvest Half Mile Run.” Fun activities for the whole family will be available at the finish line.

Advanced registration is strongly recommended and can be accomplished online by visiting www.nashobamed.org/hunger-run-5k. Register by Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 and receive a FREE T-shirt. Registration the day of the event is from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

The cost to register for the 5K race is $20 in advance, $10 for the Half Mile Run and $10 for walkers. Each runner should bring one, non-perishable food item to be donated to Loaves & Fishes.  
 
“The Hunger Run truly brings together our Nashoba Valley Medical Center community to give back to our community and Loaves & Fishes,” said Salvatore Perla, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. “From our youngest participants and dedicated runners to the volunteers who make sure the event runs smoothly, they all are working together to help those in need.”

In 2016, the pantry distributed approximately 600,000 pounds of food to 811 families. To learn more about the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, visit www.devenspantry.org.

For more information about the Hunger Run 5K, contact Lori Gitto at 978-784-9000 or email lori.gitto@steward.org. Organizations who would like to become a sponsor of the event should contact Gary Donia at gary.donia@steward.org.
 
About Nashoba Valley Medical Center
Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by The Leapfrog Group. The hospital was a recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval and was named to Leapfrog’s annual list of Top Hospitals in 2014. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, geriatric psychiatry, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Center for Pain Management, Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospital campuses, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.