Hi, I’m Dr. Beatrice Balfour, and on June 1st, I’ll be running my first marathon to support Ecumenical Hunger Program, a remarkable local organization just down the road from where we live that provides practical assistance to low-income and homeless families.

Homelessness in the U.S. has reached its highest recorded level, with 771,480 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024—a staggering 18% increase from the previous year. Families with children saw the most dramatic rise, increasing by 39%, and nearly 150,000 children were homeless on a single night. Ecumenical Hunger Program offers material aid, support services, and advocacy to help our neighbors in need in East Palo Alto. Every dollar donated can provide $10 worth of food for a family—so if we reach our goal of $1,500, that’s $15,000 of food going directly to our community. Let’s make a difference together—every step I run is for them!