SOME (So Others Might Eat)

Winter during a global pandemic is tough. We're all isolated in our houses, without the regular rhythms of the outside world to help structure cold, gray winter days - and the thing is, we're the lucky ones. So many people have lost their livelihoods during this crisis, and so many people had so little before it even began.

To help myself and others get through these next few months, I'm launching this running fundraiser to benefit So Others Might Eat (SOME), a DC nonprofit that helps the poor and homeless in this community.

On March 13, 2021, I will run 30 kilometers. [EDIT: I'm sidelined for the moment with an ankle injury, so the run date is TBD, but I plan to resume training for it once I'm cleared to run again.]  Along the way, I want to raise $3,000  to help fight hunger and homelessness in my community. I'd love your support in reaching both of these goals!

Here are some ways to contribute:

1. Donate whatever amount you can, whether that's $30, $1, $10,  or any amount that feels right to you. Times are tough and every little bit counts. If you share your contact info, I'll thank you with a picture from one of my training runs - or a sweaty selfie, whichever you prefer.

2. "Sponsor" me by donating a set dollar amount for each mile I run in training and on the final "race" day. For transparency, based on my current training plan, that should be something like 280 miles. (Again, times are tough, so please don't worry that I'll think you're cheap if your mileage rate is low.) If you choose to contribute this way, I'll invite you to a Strava group so you can follow my progress. Like option 1, I'll thank you with a training run picture or short video if you share contact info. Depending on how many people choose this option, I may also create another virtual platform to share updates / help stay connected.

3. Choose a day on or before March 15, 2021 to run* a distance** that is challenging for you. When you complete it, I'll donate a dollar amount equal to the amount of miles you run.
*If you don't like or aren't able to run, please feel free to substitute another activity! Walking, hiking, and biking are great, so are other kinds of physical activity, so let's just talk about what feels right donation-wise.
**If you want to set a time or frequency goal, that's cool too. Again, we can talk about what feels right for a donation amount.

Questions? Comments? Shoot me an email at [email redacted].

FAQ
- Why March 13? That's the last day of standard time. If we can make it to DST, we're nearly there.
- How'd you pick 30K? It's a distance that feels like a stretch, but one I think I can train for in about 10 weeks.
- What happens if you meet your fundraising goal before "race day"? I'll increase my goal.
- What happens if you get injured or can't do the run? I really hope not, but the fundraiser is definitely still on!

Finally, here's some more information about SOME:

SOME (So Others Might Eat) is an interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help the poor and homeless in our nation's capital. We meet the immediate daily needs of the people we serve with food, clothing and health care. We help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment and counseling to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity, one person at a time.

Hi Healing Clinic community! Every year, Healing Clinic hosts an annual “Heel to Heal”, where students, families, faculty, and many others participate in a 5k to help fund our year-round efforts to provide care for vulnerable patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to halt our in-person activities at our three clinic sites, we are still very aware of the impact it has had on our community and the patients we serve. In lieu of our in-person Heel to Heal 5k, we are holding an online Heel to Heal 5k fundraiser for So Others Might Eat (SOME), an organization that has been doing tremendous work in addressing the various needs of the DC community during this time. We encourage you all to participate by "Moving 5, Donating 5, and Tagging 5" -- feel free to run, roll, or stroll your 5k, donate $5 or more, and tag 5 of your friends, family, classmates, or colleagues! Share your content with us by [email redacted]lingclinic and using the hashtags #virtualheeltoheal  #move5donate5tag5

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SOME (So Others Might Eat) is an interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help community members experiencing financial hardship and homelessness in our nation's capital. SOME meets the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing and health care. They help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling to community members experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, and mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity, one person at a time.

For more information on SOME and their mission, please visit: https://www.some.org

For more information on the GW Healing Clinic and our mission, please visit: https://smhs.gwu.edu/healingclinic/

Please join us in making a difference! Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.

More than 16 million kids in America live in households that struggle to put food on the table. This is called food insecurity. What is food insecurity? According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), food insecurity is when the consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.  

For my social action project, I wanted to raise awareness and help fight against food insecurity and hunger in DC. It astounds me that in one of the wealthiest and most advanced countries in the world, there are still communities that are going hungry. Nearly one in five DC residents live at or below the poverty and have some levels of food insecurity.

All donations will go directly to SOME (So Others Might Eat), a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C. that exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation’s capital. Please help me out by donating! Anything and everything is greatly appreciated, thank you!