Volunteers needed for Race to Restock

By JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF

Race to Restock, a charity 10K, 5K, and 1-mile race, is taking place on April 26. This event directly supports First Call for Help, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families in need within Ellis County, including providing food through their pantry.

Leadership 310: Field Work in Leadership is a capstone course and required of all Leadership Program students at Fort Hays State University. One of the LDRS 310 project groups has partnered with First Call for Help to host the Race to Restock. The members of this group are Cassidy Bockelman, Tallon Rentschler, Kelly Parr, Ethan Fisher, and Ethan Salmans.

Bockelman, a Junior at FHSU majoring in Accounting, said the purpose of Race to Restock is to raise funds, either cash or food donations, for First Call for Help.

“Specifically, proceeds from the event will go toward restocking their food pantry, which supports those facing food insecurity,” she said. “This event serves as a way to educate others about food insecurity and how we, as students and community members, can play a role in helping our neighbors in need.”

Bockelman emphasizes that Race to Restock is important because it addresses a real and urgent need in Ellis County – hunger.

“Food insecurity affects more people than many realize, including college students. By participating in the event, students and community members alike can directly support those who may be struggling to access basic necessities,” she said. “It’s a chance to come together, promote wellness, and make an impact.”

Rentschler, a Junior in Health and Human Performance at FHSU, agrees with Bockelman on how important it is for community members to be aware of the poverty in Hays.

“Ellis County has an overall poverty rate of 18%. This is the highest rate in the region. Stocking the pantry and continuing to stock it every year will allow families and individuals the access to necessary resources they need,” Rentschler said. 

Rentschler said they want to bring together the community to try and make them realize more how important consistent support is within this increasing issue. 

“It is so important to both FHSU students and the community because it raises awareness about a problem not everyone really is aware of,” she said. “The more we can help others learn about this increasing problem, the more support we can try and get in trying to solve, or lessen, the issue of food insecurity.”

Parr, a Tourism and Hospitality Junior at FHSU, highlights how crucial it is for the event to have plenty of volunteers so it can run as smoothly as possible.

“We have numerous spots where volunteers will be working. There will be a check-in table manager, refreshment table manager, someone will need to be running the chip-timer technology, we are looking for race pacers, people at different mile markers handing out water, and of course, people to stay and help clean-up after the race is complete,” Parr said. “Plenty of great opportunities for students who want service hours or to donate their personal time to a good cause.”

Fisher, a Senior in Engineering Design at FHSU, said the deadline to register to volunteer is today. 

‘We would prefer those in at least one week before the event, but we still encourage anyone who still wants to help to come out the day of the event,” he said. “We want to get as many people involved as we can.’

The sign-up link to volunteer can be found on the First Call For Help website at https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/event-list. 

Salmans, a Senior Philosophy major at FHSU, said this is an opportunity for all of us to come together and help our fellow community members.

“Supporting First Call for Help is one of the best ways that you can support fellow community members who are in need because all the donations go directly to helping them,” he said. 

The LDRS310 Team wants to remind everyone that this is a family-friendly event, and all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers, and they will also have a donation table for non-perishable food items or monetary donations. Every step taken in this race helps fill a pantry shelf- come run, walk, or cheer everyone on and help restock the shelves for those in need.

April 26, 2025, Check-in starts at 7:30 AM, Sternberg Museum Parking Lot

Ways to Help

1. Sign Up to Participate – Walk or run to support the cause.

2. Volunteer – We need 20 race-day volunteers for check-in, water stations, and course guidance.

3. Donate

How to Donate:

– Online: Race to Restock Donation

(There is an online donation – no entry ticket option)

– Check: Payable to First Call for Help, memo Race to Restock, mailed to 607 E 13th Street, Hays, KS 67601

– In-Person: Contact us at (785) 623-2800 or info@firstcallelliscounty.com