Help Make a Lasting Impact: Support South County Outreach in the Fight Against Hunger and Homelessness - OC Marathon | OC Half Marathon & 5k

The Hoag OC Marathon is thrilled to be partnered with South County Outreach to help fight hunger and homelessness in our community. They are working to provide essential support to vulnerable families, whether they are having trouble paying rent or affording food. With your help, they aim to offer hope and stability to those who need it most by ensuring that they don’t have to go without the basics.

A word from South County Outreach regarding their mission, and how you can help your community:

“Poverty isn’t always visible. In Orange County, it quietly exists in one-third of households—families with a roof over their heads but struggling to keep the lights on. These families often make heartbreaking choices, like skipping meals to feed their children or deciding between rent and medication. They’re vulnerable, often ineligible for assistance, yet one crisis away from disaster. At South County Outreach, we believe in prevention: stepping in before hunger or homelessness takes hold. We help cover rent or utility bills for families on the brink and provide groceries through our client-choice food pantry, giving families a chance to regain stability with dignity. Prevention takes resources, and the need is growing. With community support, we can keep families warm, fed, and together. Whether you donate food, make a financial gift, or share our mission with others, your generosity brings hope and stability to those in need. Please consider supporting us today and all year long, learn more at www.sco-oc.org.”

Upcoming Food Drive Opportunities:

South County Outreach will be a partner of Run For a Claus, the upcoming 5K & 1 Mile Race presented by The Hoag OC Marathon Running festival. They will be collecting baking supplies for those in need during the holiday season.

Items most needed:

Flour

Sugar

Sprinkles

Oil

Other non-perishable baking supplies

Runners have two opportunities to drop off goods:

Early Packet Pickup • December 13th • A Snail’s Pace Fountain Valley • 3:30-7:30 PM
Race Day • December 14th • University of California, Irvine • 6:45-10:30 AM

This partnership follows up a successful food drive facilitated by South County Outreach and The OC Marathon for The OC Fair 5K this past August.

Runner Rebate Program

To make supporting South County Outreach even more rewarding, we’re excited to offer the Runner Rebate Program. Runners who commit to fundraising for the charity can receive a full refund of their registration fee by meeting the fundraising goals! Here’s how it works:

For the 5K, raise $150 and receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
For the half marathon, raise $350 and get a 100% refund of your registration fees.
For the full marathon, raise $500 and you’ll receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
For the 5K/Half Combo Crush, raise $650 and receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.
For the 5K/Full Combo Crush, raise $750 and receive a 100% refund of your registration fees.

By reaching these fundraising goals, you can run for free while supporting a vital cause that helps advance South County Outreach’s mission.

Join us in supporting South County Outreach as they work to prevent hunger and homelessness for struggling families. Register today and be a part of this incredible cause. To donate or fundraise with South County Outreach, please visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/133058/Charity/28216