MUST Ministries celebrates its 50th anniversary this Thanksgiving with the return of the in-person, annual tradition, the Gobble Jog. Supporters can also sign up as virtual runners or phantom runners (financial supporters) to benefit MUST’s mission of providing assistance for those in need through housing, food, healthcare, workforce development, clothing and other programs in Cobb and seven other metro Atlanta counties. Timed 10K and 5K runs, as well as an untimed 5K, 1K and Tot Trot are all available at the race, which takes place every Thanksgiving Day morning on the Marietta Square. All who register for the 19th annual Gobble Jog – whether as in-person, virtual or phantom runners – will receive a special commemorative t-shirt.
Gobble Jog is MUST Ministries’ No. 1 fundraising event of the year and the nonprofit is working diligently to have a successful 2021 Gobble Jog after dealing with the challenges of a virtual-only Gobble Jog in 2020.
MUST is facing its greatest food, housing and resources needs in its 50-year history. Food sources are scarce. Food banks’ inventory is very low, grocery stores have a limit on quantities and the aluminum shortage has reduced the availability of canned goods.
“For 50 years, MUST Ministries has been called to offer help and hope, but we have never seen such an insurmountable need,” stated MUST Ministries President and CEO Dr. Ike Reighard. “During the pandemic, we have done everything we can to serve those in poverty and those plunging into poverty for the first time.”
MUST is currently distributing 3.5 TONS OF FOOD A DAY compared to 1 ton a day pre-COVID. In 2020, the nonprofit served more than 45,000 people by providing 115,096 bed nights, distributing groceries and toiletries to at-risk students and their families from 100 schools through 35 MUST Neighborhood Pantries, helping more than 5,000 children enjoy Christmas gifts (including winter necessities) and feeding more than a half a million Summer Lunches to hungry children in seven counties.
Runners and walkers choose between a 10K, 5K, 1K, Tot Trot (50 yards), or they can sign up as a “phantom runner” to help with fundraising. Packet pick-up will take place at the Cobb Civic Center on Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 pm. where visitors can enjoy bounce houses, a food truck, pictures with Col. MUSTard and more.
All proceeds will go directly to MUST Ministries. To sign up for the Marietta Daily Journal Gobble Jog, please visit www.gobblejog.org. #nohungernovember
