Update: Man vs. Hunger Event Raises $2,400 for Saukville Pantry

Participants in a Man vs. Hunger event on Saturday were able to raise just over $2,400 from the event as well as nearly 1,600 items of food. 

"These efforts have filled our shelves and given us a reserve in some area’s to help us in the coming months,"  Executive Director Mark Gierach said. "A huge thank you to Dawn Brooks from Between the Greens & for putting this event together. I’m sure there were countless hours put into this event on her part and her family and staff at both establishments, not to mention the open bar following the event for all the participants in the race."

In deciding to put together some type of friendly competition, Brooks said she was looking for a good cause to support — and hunger made sense.

"I am very aware of the need for food in this area," said Brooks, who owns both  and Between the Greens, with her husband, Rob. "We wanted to do something that would benefit community."

Inspired by the horde of competitive food shows on The Food Network, Brooks created the Man vs. Hunger event as a fun and food-filled relay race and food donation drive.

"We’ve been thinking of doing some sort of race for some time," said Brooks. "We wanted something fun to do together and bring awareness."

All of the donations benefited the , which is located in the basement at . The pantry has been open since January and has so far served over 120 families, Gierach said.

"We also need to thank the owners of , the and for being co-sponsors of the event and providing the food that the teams ate free of charge," Gierach said after the Man vs. Hunger event. "Lastly, we need to thank all the teams for their efforts in raising money and collecting food for the food pantry, and their efforts in the race itself."

Nine teams participated in Saturday's race, which began at 2 p.m. 

Starting from Between the Greens, the first team member had to eat a half-pound Reuben sandwich and then quickly hop on a bike to local pizzeria, Messina’s. The next team member devoured a meatball sub and ran to Firehouse Restaurant, where the next teammate was waiting to eat a handful of fiery, habanero ranch chicken wings. Then, it was time to jump rope down Highway 33 to J'Sports Bar for the next teammate’s challenge: Gobbling down a Papa burger. From there the teams worked together to transport all of the food donations to The Railroad. 

The nine teams included:

• Commerce State Bank: Sue Miller, Tom Hopp, John Ross & Joe Fazio
• Skimpsters: Jessie Brooks, Dawn Brooks, Sarah Krenn & Sheli Bell
• Dream team: John Walker, Damion, Mike & Steave
• Random Bacon Mafia: Lori Newhouse, Mark Newhouse, Mitch Newhouse & Rosendo Castillo
• St. Peters: Ron Newlin, Andy Smith, Bill Karrels & Alex Engel
• 4 Fat Guys: Jake Tetting, Justin Puestow, John Fischer & Gary
• Meal Movers: Jean Opitz, Jeff Opitz, Dave Crass, T-Bell
• Chowin 4 Hunger: Don Clark, Al Brumanu, Lisa Moeller, Eddie Hasse

Though Brooks admits she was a bit disappointed by the small team turnout, she is confident the event will continue to grow in future years.  In the meantime, she said everyone is encouraged to donate money or food to benefit the pantry.

"The food pantry has served a lot of people," Brooks said. "We’re trying to take the burden off the families and be a source of good in the community."

"I look forward to seeing all of the teams back next year," Gierach said. "Dawn says it's going to be an annual event on the weekend following Fish Day and (hopes it will) grow bigger and better each year."