Politics & Government

Martha's Village & Kitchen to Receive Extra $40K at Thanksgiving Day 5K

As of Wednesday evening, 1,480 people had registered for the event-- and a couple hundred more are expected to sign up in person Thursday morning.

On its biggest fundraising day of the year, Indio-based Martha's Village & Kitchen will have an extra sum of money to be thankful for as they are presented with a check from the county.

The non-profit group which provides services to homeless and those in need will get $40,000 from Riverside County on Thursday to support its efforts.

County Supervisor John Benoit will make a presentation at 7:30 a.m. to start the kitchen's sixth annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk at the Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. The funding will help cover basic operating costs for the homeless shelter.

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Benoit, with the approval of the county Board of Supervisors, allocated the $40,000 from his Fourth District community improvement designation fund, according to his office.

"Martha's Village helps those less fortunate in our community pull through the financial challenges that try them and return to better financial footing," Benoit said. "On a day for sharing joy and focusing on the positive things in life, I'm pleased to assist the shelter and its worthy services in the Coachella Valley."

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The 5K run/walk is the shelter's largest fundraiser.

Last year, approximately 1,600 people participated in the family-friendly event and helped raise $220,000 for the local charity, according to Martha's Village & Kitchen Online Communications Manager Bob Therieau.

This year-- they want to top that number and raise $300,000, and are "confident" they'll be able to do just that through increased participation, Therieau told Palm Desert Patch.

As of Wednesday evening, 1,480 people had registered for the event-- and a couple hundred more are expected to sign up in person Thursday morning, Therieau said.

All participants in the 5K will receive a T-shirt and continental breakfast. Registration is $39 for ages 13 and up and $24 for ages 6 to 12. Race day registration will be available from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. For information, go to www.marthasvillage.org.

City News Service contributed to this report.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here