Brookhaven Hits the Ground Running

The Brookhaven community came together this past week for the annual ShopRite Run the Farm, an event that combined fitness, community spirit and an important cause.

Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle and Councilman Neil A. Manzella, along with Hobbs Community Farm, helped organize the event, which turned out to be a tremendous success.

This year's race brought out 227 runners, while more than 350 community members joined together for the post-race celebration. It was a great turnout for an event that continues to grow while raising money for an important cause right here in the community.

In total, the event raised more than $14,500 for Hobbs Community Farm.

The farm plays an important role in addressing food insecurity on Long Island, providing more than 100,000 pounds of fresh produce each year to people in need. The money raised through events like the ShopRite Run the Farm helps support that mission and ensures fresh, healthy food can continue making its way to local families.

While the race provided plenty of opportunity for participants to get outside and get moving, the bigger goal was helping neighbors who need a helping hand.

LaValle thanked the runners, sponsors, volunteers and community organizations that helped make the event possible.

"A huge thank you to all of our runners and to ShopRite, our title sponsor, as well as the Suffolk County Police Department 6th Precinct, Brookhaven Highway Department, Brookhaven Public Safety, Centereach Fire Department, Elite Feats, Ann Pellegrino, our dedicated volunteers, and all of our generous sponsors and vendors who helped make this event possible," LaValle said.

Events like this are a reminder that community events don't have to be complicated to make a difference. Give people a good reason to come together, add a little competition and a lot of community spirit, and something special can happen.

The 227 runners who took part helped turn their miles into meaningful support for Hobbs Community Farm, while the hundreds of residents who stayed for the celebration helped create the atmosphere that makes local events like this so special.

More than $14,500 was raised, hundreds of people participated, and more than 100,000 pounds of fresh produce will continue making its way to people in need through the farm's ongoing work.

That's a pretty good day for Brookhaven.

The ShopRite Run the Farm turned a community race into meaningful support for Hobbs Community Farm, showing how Brookhaven’s local partnerships help fight food insecurity through neighbors working together.