Put on your running shoes for a great cause! The East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry’s 8th Annual OutRun Hunger 5K is Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Harvest Green/Richmond.
 
“Last year, our 7th OutRun Hunger 5K earned $35,000 with 47 sponsors, nearly 500 runners, and several hundred spectators. We’re hoping to increase that in 2025 with more sponsors and more runners,” says Megan Leonhardt, Director of Development for EFBHNM. “That means we can put dinner on more tables of families facing food insecurity, more backpacks on the backs of children getting ready for back-to-school, and more holiday meals on family tables this coming holiday season.”
 
Early Bird registration for the timed 5K runs August 1-15 and costs $30, while the Kids Run is $15. The registration price increases to $35 on August 16 and $40 on September 13. (The deadline to guarantee a t-shirt with registration is September 12.)
 
Fort Bend neighbors of EFBHNM, Darren and Melissa Stewart, will be running the OutRun Hunger 5K for the first time this year. They have a personal training business, Fitness by Darren & Melissa. “Melissa and I really like what they do for the community, and any organization that gets you up and moving is what we’re about,” Darren says.
 
EFBHNM’s mission is to address the basic human needs of families facing food insecurity and/or temporary financial crisis in East Fort Bend County. The organization is completely privately funded by individual donors, its resale shop, privately funded grants, and events and fundraisers. In 2024, they assisted almost 15,000 children experiencing food insecurity in our community.
 
“What we do at EFBHNM is to serve the basic human needs of families in our community in a temporary financial crisis. We see new families each week, and it’s often not who you would expect. So many of our neighbors are affected by job loss, a change in family dynamics, and other unexpected situations that leave them in need of assistance,” Megan says.
 
Darren was excited to find a way to support the community doing something he loves. “I started running three years ago. I signed up to run a half-marathon – I thought I’d be one and done,” Darren explains. “Apparently I was the only one who didn’t know how much I’d love it and that I’d do it again and again. My friends and family knew I was hooked immediately.”
 
“Running is a great analogy to life. It’s about discipline. Sometimes you want to give up, but you keep going and it increases the quality of your life,” he continues. “Along with all the physical health benefits of running, it is so beneficial for mental health as well! This month, I’m running my first world major, the TCS Sydney Marathon.”
 
Fitness by Darren & Melissa is a Gold sponsor of the OutRun Hunger 5K. “We’re still accepting sponsors and running teams, so get those running shoes ready and join the fun,” Megan says. “Help your Fort Bend neighbors in need. You never know who may be experiencing a financial crisis or food insecurity. It could be your next door neighbor, a family at church, your child’s grade-school friend.”
 
Since 1990, EFBHNM has awarded more than $3 million in financial assistance.
 
East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Inc.
281-261-1006
435 Stafford Run
Stafford, Texas 77477
www.humanneeds.org
 
Fitness by Darren & Melissa
346-704-1468
15591 Creekbend Dr., Suite 250
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
fitnessbydarren.com