Media Advisory for CHIditarod XII, March 4, 2017
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Contact: Stephanie Esposito, CHIditarod Press Liaison
Email: espo@chiditarod.org
Phone: 312.203.5529
MUSH! The CHIditarod, Chicago’s Shopping Cart Race for a Good Cause Celebrates 12th Year
Rollicking yearly event raises thousands of pounds of food and donations to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository, local organizations
Who: Spectators and well-wishers are invited to witness the start of the 12th CHIditarod, Chicago’s annual rambunctious, costumed shopping cart race, raising food and donations to combat hunger.
What: Part competition, part carnival, the CHIditarod is “probably the world’s largest mobile food drive”. This year, more than 100 teams of five people in costumes will race decorated shopping carts for a good cause.
Whether they’re wearing giant Muppet heads, rolling a mobile diner, or paying tribute to lost legends or movie classics, each team will contribute at least 69 pounds of food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), with prizes awarded for largest food and monetary contributions and the most creative carts. This year, Kraft Heinz has partnered to donate 2,000 lbs of condiments to GCFD for the CHIditarod Foundation.
Now in its 12th year, the CHIditarod – a 100% volunteer driven organization – has raised more than 150,000 pounds of food for Chicago’s hungry and more than $145,000 for local nonprofits fighting hunger in the Chicago area. Since the beginning of the CHIditarod Foundation’s grant program, $95,000 has been given out to like minded nonprofits who have new and creative ways of solving food scarcity.
When: Saturday, March 4, 2017. Teams begin arriving at 9:45am. The pre-race festivities include performances by local eclectic marching band Environmental Encroachment. Race start is expected at 12:30pm.
Where: 1900 W. Hubbard, Chicago IL 60622 (northwest corner of Hubbard and Wolcott).
Visuals: 500+ excited participants in costume and decorated shopping carts, 200+ dedicated volunteers, trucks being loaded with thousands of pounds of donations for GCFD, raucous race start with 100+ teams pouring out of the gate and onto Chicago streets, pre-race music from 20+ member marching band.
For media interviews and Press RSVP, please contact:
Stephanie Esposito, espo@chiditarod.org, 312.203.5529
Starting line access is available through media check-in, we ask that all press RSVP prior to 3/01/2016.
About the CHIditarod Foundation
CHIditarod continues to expand its fundraising efforts to compliment the food drive that has been in operation since its first year (2006). In ten years, CHIditarod has donated more than 150,000 lbs of food to local food pantries, in addition to raising more than $145,000 for local non-profits. In 2012, race organizers formed the CHIditarod Foundation to award funds raised through CHIditarod’s events to local Chicago-based charities dedicated to eradicating hunger in their communities. CHIditarod is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is a 100% volunteer driven event and organization.
For more, visit: www.chiditarod.org