One incredible man is going the extra mile (and then some) to help fight hunger.

More than one million Virginians struggle with food insecurity. Runner Amos Desjardins will take one step for each of them. Bright and shiny yesterday morning, crowds gathered at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to cheer on runner, Amos Desjardines, as he took the first few steps of a seven-day 500-mile journey that will take him from the coastal plains to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and finally land him in Northern Virginia. Along the way he’s sure to collect plenty of applause and accolades, make plenty of new friends, and raise plenty of money for the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.

Call him crazy dedicated, or just plain crazy, but running 500 miles in one week is HUGE. Amos will be running 10-11 hours a day, with water stops along the route planned each hour to engage locals and talk to them about food insecurity. “They say you have to walk a mile in someone’s shoes,” said Desjardines. “I thought, why not run 500?”

Click HERE to follow his epic journey.

For more information please contact Todd Emmett, Communications Manager for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore at 757-387-7002 or temmett@foodbankonline.org.