This fall, a special block of White Bear Lake came alive with laughter, stories, and the steady rhythm of footsteps as 370 participants—from 7 months old to 94 years young—gathered for Gloria’s 13th Annual Food Shelf Shortest Marathon. The event raised an incredible $13,800 for the White Bear Area Food Shelf, proving once again that small steps can make a big impact.
The “Shortest Marathon” may be brief in distance, but it’s long on heart. Each year, this beloved tradition brings together neighbors, families, and friends to support those facing food insecurity in our community. This year saw a surge of new faces, each with their own reason for joining:
“I’ve seen it and always wanted to do it, but it never worked out—this year, I finally made it!”
“I wanted to walk with a friend, and my neighbor agreed to do it with me.”
An elderly couple proudly asked for help taking a selfie with their “I Finished Gloria’s 13th Annual Food Shelf Shortest Marathon” shirts. They texted it to their son, who had recently completed an ultra-marathon—sharing their own finish line moment with some humor.
One participant reflected, “We moved to White Bear five years ago and the food shelf helped us bridge that transition. Now we wanted to give back. Although my husband’s health has been difficult, this is the longest he’s walked in three weeks!”
These stories are a testament to the power of community and the joy of giving back. Whether walking with a stroller, a walker, or a group of giggling kids, every step taken was a step toward helping neighbors in need.
As Jan P. shared on Facebook, “That was fantastic—the support of the community. Ages from toddlers to great grandparents. What a sight to see.”
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and cheered from the sidelines. The White Bear Area Food Shelf is grateful for your generosity and spirit. We can’t wait to see you next year—same time, same place, same big heart.
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